Coupled partition and configuration for cohesive and self-sufficient virtual microgrids

Active Distribution Network shows promise in operating and controlling distributed generations. Based on ADN structural and electrical differences, ADN could be partitioned to reveal innate heterogeneity for better control. Virtual Microgrid works as such a partition mode that each VM serves both as a part of ADN and as an individual operating agent. To identify VM boundaries, previous research utilized community detection methods and then configured ADN based on stationary partition. In this paper, VM partition and configuration are simultaneously determined in the proposed Coupled-Configuration-Partition of Active Planning. Also, a new definition of electrical edge betweenness is proposed to depict interaction among power system buses to improve the partition algorithm. Based on this proposal, ADN is planned to be cohesive in Net-ability, Flexibility Supply Index, and Capacity Fitness, in the meantime to minimize the cost in a multi-objective optimization, iteratively in Genetic Algorithm to reach Pareto Front. Case studies are designed to denote the benefits of the proposed Coupled-Configuration-Partition of Active Planning in modularity and system cohesion intensity.