Optimal operation scheduling of a microgrid using a novel scenario-based robust approach

Abstract

This article presents the optimal short-term scheduling of an integrated heat and power microgrid (MG) considering load uncertainty. The MG comprises combined heat and power (CHP) units, a small thermal power plant, a small boiler, an electrical energy storage system and a thermal storage tank, and can further engage in electrical energy transactions with the upstream network regarded as the day-ahead market. Given the uncertain nature of the electrical and thermal load, a novel scenario-based robust optimization framework is developed to overcome the problem uncertainties. The effectiveness of the proposed scenario-based robust scheme against conventional deterministic and stochastic scheduling methods is verified through numerical simulation on a prototype MG. The results suggest that the proposed approach can effectively forecast the uncertainties in MG load and provide the operator with more realistic results to handle the consuming load uncertainty.