Smart multi-level energy management algorithm for grid-connected hybrid renewable energy systems in a micro-grid context

Abstract

The intermittency of single renewable energy sources affects significantly their reliability, and hence, hybrid renewable energy systems (HRESs) are introduced. HRESs are notably used to meet the needs of residential loads. Nevertheless, power surplus and shortages still represent issues that must be handled by energy management systems. In this paper, a novel method for optimal energy management of a grid connected micro-grid composed of five smart Moroccan prosumers is presented. The proposed energy management strategy is organized using three levels, namely, HRES level, load-scheduling level, and communication-sharing level between HRESs. The first two levels of energy management are processed at the local level, i.e., inside each smart home. For the third level, our paper demonstrates the feasibility of interactions and communication between the five different houses interconnected using an optimized infrastructure topology as a smart neighborhood grid. Each of these houses is empowered by their own hybrid renewable energy system made of possible system hybridization based on PV (Photovoltaic), wind turbine, and battery storage system. This helps each house to manage its surplus and to deal with energy shortage through the proposed multi-level system's energy management algorithm. The application of information and communication technologies enables the set of smart homes connected in a micro-grid framework to contribute to the emergence of the concept of the internet of sustainable green things. Simulations conducted by the MATLAB platform validate the proposed methodology, which relies on micro-grid surplus injection and neighborhood storage during extreme surplus, else load dynamics thereafter micro-grid-injected energy recovering during hybrid energy deficit. The proposed system manages the energy produced by HRESs and reduces the energy demanded by the utility grid using the proposed topology that connects houses and ensures interactions between the micro-grid and the utility. The results show that the frequency of micro-grid deficiency was significantly reduced due to the established micro-grid with the five houses according to the proposed topology and the developed multi-level management system.