Real-Time Economic Dispatching for Microgrids Based on Flexibility Envelopes

• Published in: Processes Vol. 12; no. 11; p. 2544
• Main Authors: Zhao, Dawei, Zhang, Chuanzhi, Ning, Yujie, Huo, Yuchong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01.11.2024
• Subjects: Algorithms; Alternative energy sources; Case studies; Controllability; Cost control; Decision making; Distributed generation; Economic aspects; Energy distribution; Energy management; Energy policy; Energy resources; Energy sources; Flexibility; Linear programming; Optimization; Power dispatch; Probability distribution; Real time operation; Renewable resources; Software; Storage systems; Wind power
• ISSN: 2227-9717; 2227-9717
• DOI: 10.3390/pr12112544

The core function of a microgrid controller is to compute and distribute a set points related to the distributed energy resources and controllable loads to ensure optimal performance. The development of a real-time economic dispatching algorithm that enhances the operation of microgrids, particularly those involving wind, diesel, and storage systems, is the aim of this paper. The proposed algorithm is based on the flexibility envelope concept, which enables efficient, real-time dispatching, without the need for professional optimization software. The main objective of this paper is to provide a cost-effective and practical solution for managing uncertainties in terms of renewable energy generation and load demand. The algorithm is tested on a microgrid energy management system, in both grid-connected and islanded operation modes. The results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm achieves significant cost reductions compared to a rule-based myopic policy, while closely approximating the optimal dispatch results obtained from offline professional optimization tools.