Optimal Operation Approach With Combined BESS Sizing and PV Generation in Microgrid

Abstract

Photovoltaic (PV) energy generation in microgrids (MGs) is increasing. Battery energy storage systems (BESSs) reduce the fluctuations in PV outputs caused by the intermittent availability of solar energy. Although BESSs are advantageous for stable MG operation, they are still relatively expensive. By remaining within the operational limits during normal and contingency operation, optimal sizing of BESS is required to maintain security considering cost of MG system. This paper proposes a BESS sizing optimization approach for MGs by solving the security constrained optimal power flow (SCOPF), considering the stochastic errors in forecasting the PV outputs. The degree of compensation for the solar energy forecasting error is firstly configured. To address these errors, the combined PV and BESS operation system is modeled by applying a control strategy to smooth PV fluctuations and minimize battery life degradation. BESS sizing optimization, under a certain degree of compensation, minimizes the PV penalty cost and BESS operation cost. The optimal BESS capacity and schedule are then obtained for the MG. To enhance the convergence and computational efficiency, decomposed-probabilistic security constrained optimal power flow (D-PSCOPF) is proposed. It efficiently solves the problem by dividing it into a master problem and a slave problem. The base case solution is computed in the slave problem, which induces the partial optimal size of BESS. By adding the feasibility cut through the violation of the slave problem, the master problem derives the optimal BESS capacity. Different case studies were analyzed, confirming the superiority and computational efficiency of the proposed approach.