Energy Scheduling Strategies for Grid-connected Microgrids: A Case Study on Chalmers Campus

Paper in proceeding, 2019

This paper focuses on the optimal energy management
of grid-connected microgrids with battery energy storage
systems. The microgrid energy management and the optimal
power flow of the distribution network are formulated as mixed-integer
linear optimization problems to evaluate microgrid energy
scheduling strategies including cost minimization, maximum use
of own resources, and minimum energy exchange with the
upstream network. The real distribution network of Chalmers
University of Technology campus is used as a case study. The
study results show that economic optimization yields an annual
microgrid cost reduction of 4%. Alternatively, if the microgrid
minimizes the energy exchange, virtual islanding operation (zero
energy exchange) for 3211 hours can be achieved within a year.
The results also present the effects on the operation and cost
of the distribution system and highlight a trade-off between
microgrid cost minimization and battery lifetime.