Optimal Operation of Virtual Power Plant in Unbalanced Distribution Networks

Abstract

The work presented in this article aims to enhance electrical energy trading in unbalanced distribution networks using the virtual power plant concept. This article proposes different developed optimization algorithms based on modification of the big bang–big crunch method for virtual power plant realization. The proposed algorithms aim to manage the electrical energy in unbalanced distribution networks to minimize the cost of energy purchased from the grid. This goal is achieved through the optimal placement of renewable-based distributed generators, optimal scheduling of the controllable loads, and optimal sizing of energy storage elements. The proposed algorithms are implemented in a MATLAB environment (The MathWorks, Natick, Massachusetts, USA) and tested on the IEEE 37-node feeder. The results show great reduction in the cost of energy purchased from the grid, and the subsequent discussions emphasize the significance of using the virtual power plant concept in managing the electrical energy.

Keywords:

• big bang–big crunch
• distributed generators
• optimization
• virtual power plant

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mahmoud M. Othman

Mahmoud M. Othman received his B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. in electrical engineering in 2005, 2010, and 2015 respectively from Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. He is currently an assistant professor at Ain Shams University and teaching in the Faculty of Engineering. His areas of research are DG performance and planning in deregulated electricity markets.

Yasser G. Hegazy

Yasser G. Hegazy received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. in electrical engineering from Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, in 1986 and 1990, respectively, and his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada, in 1996. Currently, he is a professor and vice president for student affairs, German University, Cairo. He is the chair of the International Conference of Engineering and Technology (ICET). He received the 2004 State Award in Engineering Sciences from the Egyptian Government. His research interests include power system reliability, DG, renewable energy systems, and power quality.

Almoataz Y. Abdelaziz

Almoataz Y. Abdelaziz received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. in electrical engineering from Ain Shams University, Egypt, in 1985 and 1990, respectively, and his Ph.D. in electrical engineering according to the channel system between Ain Shams University, Egypt, and Brunel University, UK, in 1996. He is currently a professor of electrical power engineering at Ain Shams University. He chairs the IEEE Education Society chapter in Egypt; is a senior editor of Ain Shams Engineering Journal; editor of Electric Power Components and Systems; and editorial board member, associate editor, and editorial advisory board member of several international journals and conferences. He is also a member of IET and the Egyptian sub-committees of IEC and CIGRE’. He has been awarded many prizes for distinct research and for international publishing from Ain Shams University, Egypt. He has authored or coauthored more than 260 refereed journal and conference papers in his research areas, which include the applications of artificial intelligence and evolutionary and heuristic optimization techniques for power system operation, planning, and control.