Optimal control of a regional power microgrid network driven by wind and solar energy

Abstract

In this paper, a model to support optimal decisions in a network of microgrids is formalized as an original discrete and centralized problem defined here as cooperative network of smart power grids problem. The control variables are the instantaneous flows of power in the network of microgrids, which can be obtained from the solution of a linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) problem on a fixed time horizon. The state is represented by the energy stored in each microgrid. The goal is to minimize the variations of the energy stored in each storage device from a reference value, as well as to minimize the exchange of power between the microgrids. An application of the model is proposed taking into account wind and solar data in three sites in Liguria region (Castellari, Capo Vado and Savona). It is assumed that each microgrid is composed by a renewable hybrid energy system, a cluster of 100 households and a storage device.