A Horizon Optimization Control Framework for the Coordinated Operation of Multiple Distributed Energy Resources in Low Voltage Distribution Networks

Abstract

In recent years, the installation of residential Distributed Energy Resources (DER) that produce (mainly rooftop photovoltaics usually bundled with battery system) or consume (electric heat pumps, controllable loads, electric vehicles) electric power is continuously increasing in Low Voltage (LV) distribution networks. Several technical challenges may arise through the massive integration of DER, which have to be addressed by the distribution grid operator. However, DER can provide certain degree of flexibility to the operation of distribution grids, which is generally performed with temporal shifting of energy to be consumed or injected. This work advances a horizon optimization control framework which aims to efficiently schedule the LV network’s operation in day-ahead scale coordinating multiple DER. The main objectives of the proposed control is to ensure secure LV grid operation in the sense of admissible voltage bounds and rated loading conditions for the secondary transformer. The proposed methodology leans on a multi-period three-phase Optimal Power Flow (OPF) addressed as a nonlinear optimization problem. The resulting horizon control scheme is validated within an LV distribution network through multiple case scenarios with high microgeneration and electric vehicle integration providing admissible voltage limits and avoiding unnecessary active power curtailments.

Exploiting OLTC and BESS Operation Coordinated with Active Network Management in LV Networks

“…This paper advances previous works of the authors [41,42]. The main contributions of this paper may be outlined as follows:…”

“…, y Hτ ] T . As explained also in [41], the auxiliary variables are intentionally appended as last elements of vector X to allow the flexible configurations of the stated problems (i.e., eases the calculation of derivatives and the data logging of initial points). To avoid lengthy notation on the problem statement, a symbolic variable…”

Distributed Energy Resources Management 2018

“…This paper provides a summary of the Special Issue of Energies covering the published articles [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13], which address several topics related to distributed energy resources management. Table 1 identifies the most relevant topics in each publication of the 2018 Edition.…”

“…A control framework for the strategic operation of wider distribution networks was proposed by Kotsalos et al in [10]. The proposed approach addressed a large set of distributed energy resource types, namely photovoltaics, energy storage, electric vehicles, and controllable loads.…”

“…The Special Issue "Distributed Energy Resources Management 2018" includes 13 papers [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13], and is a continuation of the Special Issue "Distributed Energy Resources Management" published in https://www.mdpi.com/journal/energies/special_issues/distributed_energy_resources_ management2018. The success of the previous Special Issue, for which the summary is published in [14], shows the unquestionable relevance of distributed energy resources in the operation of power and energy systems at both the distribution level, and at the wide power system level.…”