Hierarchical Multi-timescale Framework For Operation of Dynamic Community Microgrid

TL;DR

This paper introduces a three-stage hierarchical multi-timescale framework for efficient scheduling and real-time dispatch of community microgrids, enhancing load support during outages amid resource and demand uncertainties.

Contribution

It presents a novel multi-timescale approach that includes dynamic boundary expansion and stochastic scheduling, improving microgrid resilience and operational efficiency.

Findings

Outperforms traditional two-stage methods in load support during outages.

Demonstrates robustness under forecast errors and varying outage durations.

Validated on a modified IEEE 123-bus system with superior results.

Abstract

Distribution system integrated community microgrids (CMGs) can restore loads during extended outages. The CMG is challenged with limited resource availability, absence of a robust grid-support, and demand-supply uncertainty. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a three-stage hierarchical multi-timescale framework for scheduling and real-time (RT) dispatch of CMGs. The CMG's ability to dynamically expand its boundary to support the neighboring grid sections is also considered. The first stage solves a stochastic day-ahead (DA) scheduling problem to obtain referral plans for optimal resource rationing. The intermediate near real-time scheduling stage updates the DA schedule closer to the dispatch time, followed by the RT dispatch stage. The proposed methodology is validated via numerical simulations on a modified IEEE 123-bus system, which shows superior performance in terms of RT load supplied under different forecast error cases, outage duration scenarios, and against the traditionally used two-stage approach.