OptiMEMS: An Adaptive Lightweight Optimal Microgrid Energy Management System Based on the Novel Virtual Distributed Energy Resources in Real-Life Demonstration

Abstract

As microgrids have gained increasing attention over the last decade, more and more applications have emerged, ranging from islanded remote infrastructures to active building blocks of smart grids. To optimally manage the various microgrid assets towards maximum profit, while taking into account reliability and stability, it is essential to properly schedule the overall operation. To that end, this paper presents an optimal scheduling framework for microgrids both for day-ahead and real-time operation. In terms of real-time, this framework evaluates the real-time operation and, based on deviations, it re-optimises the schedule dynamically in order to continuously provide the best possible solution in terms of economic benefit and energy management. To assess the solution, the designed framework has been deployed to a real-life microgrid establishment consisting of residential loads, a PV array and a storage unit. Results demonstrate not only the benefits of the day-ahead optimal scheduling, but also the importance of dynamic re-optimisation when deviations occur between forecasted and real-time values. Given the intermittency of PV generation as well as the stochastic nature of consumption, real-time adaptation leads to significantly improved results.

Optimal, dynamic and reliable demand-response via OpenADR-compliant multi-agent virtual nodes: Design, implementation & evaluation

“…Although this could be achieved with a simple rule-based algorithm, a novel optimisation scheme (OptiDVN) has been developed, which aims towards not only satisfying the incoming DR, but also minimising the respective actual and virtual costs associated with the DR's completion. The OptiDVN engine is a significant expansion of a recently published research work from the authors (Bintoudi et al, 2021). To facilitate reader understanding and provide for a concise description, a case study of an OpenADR load dispatch signal is discussed, where the active period is comprised by a series of time intervals, for each of which, a fixed power flow setpoint (algebraic value in Watts) is requested.…”

Power Quality Improvement in Distribution Grids via Real-Time Smart Exploitation of Electric Vehicles

“…In case of any abnormal conditions, the grid control center (GCC) sends the flexibility requests to the SGIP. Then, the SGIP manages (via OptiV2G algorithm [27]) the market participants in the network segment to address the flexibility requests. The flow-chart of the mentioned control scheme is shown in Figure 2.…”

“…It should be noted that the data can be transmitted from the field to the EV resources in less than a second through this ICT platform. To optimally use any number of the available EVs plugged into the chargers, however, the SGIP is equipped with an optimization V2G engine (OptiV2G) which minimizes operation cost whilst the GCC request gets fulfilled [27]. This optimization problem is solved using a real-time pricing scheme.…”

“…The OptiV2G engine achieves minimized operation cost whilst the GCC request gets fulfilled, the EVs schedules are followed along with the technical constraints deriving from the EV batteries and EV chargers. The OptiV2G engine was based on [27], essentially being an expansion of it. Further elaboration regarding the OptiV2G algorithm is beyond the scope for this paper and it will be available to the readers as a future publication from the authors of CERTH.…”

Distributed Energy Resources: Operational Benefits

“…Bintoudi et al [13] demonstrate optimal framework planning for both next-day and real-time microgrids. This framework evaluates the operation in real-time and, based on deviations, dynamically optimizes the schedule to continuously deliver the best solutions in terms of economic benefits and energy management.…”