A conceptual framework for full optimal operation of a grid-connected DC microgrid

Abstract

This paper introduces a conceptual framework for full optimal operation of a building integrated DC microgrid system designed to increase the photovoltaic power penetration in urban areas. This framework aims to optimize the power flows in the microgrid, performing a realistic and optimized load shedding, performing time of use or dynamic pricing information, and to have high quality DC power supply and low energy cost. The optimization is based on the forecasting of photovoltaic power generation and load power; it is solved by mixed integer linear programming algorithm. Two time-scheduling optimal operations of a DC microgrid, with long-term and short-term weather forecasting, are proposed to obtain the best performance. Based on real photovoltaic data and real load profile, the system has been tested by simulation and compared with the non-optimized microgrid the results prove the validation of the designed framework.