Application of Microgrids in Supporting Distribution Grid Flexibility

TL;DR

This paper investigates how microgrids can effectively manage distribution network load variability caused by prosumers, proposing an optimal scheduling model to enhance grid flexibility and reduce infrastructure costs.

Contribution

It introduces a novel microgrid optimal scheduling model focused on capturing load variability and improving distribution grid flexibility, especially addressing ramping challenges.

Findings

The proposed model effectively coordinates microgrid and prosumer loads.

Numerical simulations demonstrate improved load management.

The approach reduces the need for costly infrastructure reinforcement.

Abstract

Distributed renewable energy resources have attracted significant attention in recent years due to the falling cost of the renewable energy technology, extensive federal and state incentives, and the application in improving load-point reliability. This growing proliferation, however, is changing the traditional consumption load curves by adding considerable levels of variability and further challenging the electricity supply-demand balance. In this paper, the application of microgrids in effectively capturing the distribution network net load variability, caused primarily by the prosumers, is investigated. Microgrids provide a viable and localized solution to this challenge while removing the need for costly investments by the electric utility on reinforcing the existing electricity infrastructure. A flexibility-oriented microgrid optimal scheduling model is proposed and developed to coordinate the microgrid net load with the aggregated consumers/prosumers net load in the distribution network with a focus on ramping issues. The proposed coordination is performed to capture both inter-hour and intra-hour net load variabilities. Numerical simulations on a test distribution feeder with one microgrid and several consumers and prosumers exhibit the effectiveness of the proposed model.