Scheduling Of Distributed Energy Resources Research Articles

Energy Optimization for Distributed Energy Resources Scheduling with Enhancements in Voltage Stability Margin

The need for developing new methodologies in order to improve power system stability has increased due to the recent growth of distributed energy resources. In this paper, the inclusion of a voltage stability index in distributed energy resources scheduling is proposed. Two techniques were used to evaluate the resulting multiobjective optimization problem: the sum-weighted Pareto front and an adapted goal programming methodology. With this new methodology, the system operators can consider both the costs and voltage stability. Priority can be assigned to one objective function according to the operating scenario. Additionally, it is possible to evaluate the impact of the distributed generation and the electric vehicles in the management of voltage stability in the future electric networks. One detailed case study considering a distribution network with high penetration of distributed energy resources is presented to analyse the proposed methodology. Additionally, the methodology is tested in a real distribution network.

A Demand Response Energy Management Scheme for Industrial Facilities in Smart Grid

Demand response (DR) smart grid technology provides an opportunity for electricity consumers to actively participate in the management of power systems. Industry is one of the major consumers of electric power. In this study, we propose a DR energy management scheme for industrial facilities based on the state task network (STN) and mixed integer linear programming (MILP). The scheme divides the processing tasks in industrial facilities into nonschedulable tasks (NSTs) and schedulable tasks (STs), and takes advantage of distributed energy resources (DERs) to implement DR. Based on day-ahead hourly electricity prices, the scheme determines the scheduling of STs and DERs in order to shift the demand from peak periods (with high electricity prices) to off-peak periods (with low electricity prices), which not only improves the reliability of the electric power system, but also reduces energy costs for industrial facilities.

Optimal investment and scheduling of distributed energy resources with uncertainty in electric vehicle driving schedules

The large scale penetration of electric vehicles (EVs) will introduce technical challenges to the distribution grid, but also carries the potential for vehicle-to-grid services. Namely, if available in large enough numbers, EVs can be used as a distributed energy resource (DER) and their presence can influence optimal DER investment and scheduling decisions in microgrids. In this work, a novel EV fleet aggregator model is introduced in a stochastic formulation of DER-CAM [1], an optimization tool used to address DER investment and scheduling problems. This is used to assess the impact of EV interconnections on optimal DER solutions considering uncertainty in EV driving schedules. Optimization results indicate that EVs can have a significant impact on DER investments, particularly if considering short payback periods. Furthermore, results suggest that uncertainty in driving schedules carries little significance to total energy costs, which is corroborated by results obtained using the stochastic formulation of the problem.

Short-term Distributed Energy Resource Scheduling for a DC Microgrid

A microgrid is associated with a low voltage distribution power network and inherits small modular generation systems and loads that have certain coordinated functions to provide the solution to supply premium power to remote or specific areas. Similar to conventional power systems, the energy management of distributed generation resources (DERs) is carried out to minimize the operation cost and maximize benefit of installation of DERS in a microgrid. This paper presents the process of implementing the short-term DER scheduling function for a dc microgrid. The optimal scheduling results for two operation modes are then reported.

Coordinated Scheduling of Residential Distributed Energy Resources to Optimize Smart Home Energy Services

We describe algorithmic enhancements to a decision-support tool that residential consumers can utilize to optimize their acquisition of electrical energy services. The decision-support tool optimizes energy services provision by enabling end users to first assign values to desired energy services, and then scheduling their available distributed energy resources (DER) to maximize net benefits. We chose particle swarm optimization (PSO) to solve the corresponding optimization problem because of its straightforward implementation and demonstrated ability to generate near-optimal schedules within manageable computation times. We improve the basic formulation of cooperative PSO by introducing stochastic repulsion among the particles. The improved DER schedules are then used to investigate the potential consumer value added by coordinated DER scheduling. This is computed by comparing the end-user costs obtained with the enhanced algorithm simultaneously scheduling all DER, against the costs when each DER schedule is solved separately. This comparison enables the end users to determine whether their mix of energy service needs, available DER and electricity tariff arrangements might warrant solving the more complex coordinated scheduling problem, or instead, decomposing the problem into multiple simpler optimizations.