Reliability Optimization in the Islanded Mode of Microgrid

Abstract

A microgrid is a combination of distributed energy resources and controllable loads. The main objective of this research is to optimize energy flow within a microgrid with regards to reliability in grid connected mode. A microgrid with combined heat and power, natural gas generator, diesel generator, solar energy, wind energy, and battery energy storage along with a critical load is considered in this research. An event oriented analytical method called FTA (fault trees analysis) is implemented for reliability optimization using PTC Windchill Solutions software in a microgrid. The reliability of each component in each energy source of the microgrid is calculated using FTA. The reliability of the critical load is evaluated. The quantitative and qualitative results of FTA are evaluated in order to interpret the results of fault tree. The sensitivity and uncertainty of the fault tree results for critical load is deduced by calculating the importance measures such as risk achievement worth, risk reduction worth, criticality importance and Fussel-Vesely importance. Finally from the results the components that are sensitive and at high risk are deduced.