Defining Key Parameters of Economic and Environmentally Efficient Residential Microgrid Operation

Abstract

Abstract Aggregating consumers and distributed generation on the same location with coupled centralized control is the main advantage of a microgrid concept. If these consumers do not have the ability to balance the variability of the renewable energy sources (RES) production the microgrid can be perceived from the distribution system point of view as a potential imbalance source. Evaluating the potential flexibility benefits of different units in the microgrid provides a valuable step towards a successful integration of renewable energy sources. This paper provides insight into different flexibility drivers of microgrid operation simulated in a developed mixed integer linear (MILP) model. The analyses focus on defining the impact of different storage size, control and location as well as different cogeneration unit technologies and efficiencies. These impacts are evaluated through several defined microgrid flexibility indicators, wasted heat and curtailed wind, considering operational techno-economic constraints of different microgrid components (battery storage, heat storage, micro combined heat and power units (μCHP)). Finally the interaction of the microgrid with the distribution system through the point of common coupling (PCC) in an hourly operation controlled by the rolling horizon unit commitment strategy is shortly described.