Serving flexible reliability in hybrid AC-DC microgrid using demand response and renewable energy resources

In this paper, a new concept of serving flexible reliability (FR) is introduced in distribution network level. FR is defined as the ability of a grid to continue servicing the high priority customers in contingency states. Customers' priority is recognized based on their value of service reliability. Regarding this matter, the philosophy of designing a hybrid AC-DC microgrid is introduced with the ability of offering an alternative resource for each individual customer in contingency states. The analytical modeling of FR analysis besides the overall reliability analysis is proposed, and the new FR index of expected energy retrieved (EER) is introduced. The performance of the proposed hybrid microgrid in serving FR is demonstrated through a numerical study on modified distribution network for Bus-4 of Roy Billinton Test System (RBTS).