An Optimal Dispatch Strategy for Distributed Micro-Grids

Abstract

Grid structure is changing rapidly in light of current energy policies with the addition of more renewable sources for reduction of carbon emission. Decentralized and low voltage grid are promising approaches to integrate non-dispatchable renewable resources as compared to centralized. It is a recent trend to install local micro-generation like microturbine, fuel cell and energy storage system to reduce microgrids' dependency on main grid and intermittent effect of renewable units. Due to the increasing variety of energy resources with different characteristics, dispatch scheduling is getting more challenging. The authors propose a scheduling solution from an operator's point of view. The main objective of the study is to minimize the cost and emissions caused due to each microgrid. Further, it is observed that transmission losses are reduced for sale and purchase from the main grid.