Cost Minimization of Power Delivery Systems by Optimal Power Generation from Distributed Energy Resources Using Real Valued Cultural Algorithm

An economic estimation of a network of distributed energy resources (DERs) forming a power delivery system in an Indian scenario has been made. The mathematical analysis is based on the application of real valued cultural algorithm (RVCA). The RVCA-evaluated total annual cost for power delivery networks has been obtained utilizing both solar and fuel cells as DERs along with a battery energy storage system. The analyses for optimal power operation pertaining to minimum cost have been made by considering two cases in Indian power delivery system. The first case deals with the consumers’ individual optimal operation of DERs, while in the second one, the consumers form a microgrid with the optimal supply of power from DERs. The total annual costs for these two cases are found to be economically competitive and encouraging in the context of supplying reliable power to a small locality. A reduction of approximately 4.3% in the annual cost has been obtained in the case of microgid system than that in the separately operating consumers’ system for a small locality of India. It is observed that the application of RVCA in power optimization results in a reduction of total cost depicting an improved outcome in terms of energy economy.