Optimal Resource Utilization in a Multi-Microgrid Network for Tamil Nadu State in India

Abstract

The emerging multi-microgrid technology owes its popularity to its ability to reduce the main grid burden congestion through optimal utilization of clean energy generating sources. Integration of a multi-microgrid network with the main grid acts as a major boost to the overall reliability of the power system. A novel energy management system approach is proposed in this work which exhaustively caters to all possible situations which may arise in a grid-connected multi-microgrid network during the scheduling of power exchange, a day ahead of the actual dispatch. A multi-agent control system is implemented in this work in order to facilitate information exchange in a multi-microgrid network for a deregulated framework of electricity market. The novelty of the research lies in the manner, the available renewable energy sources are utilized optimally, while maximizing social benefit of the overall multi-microgrid network. Also, the feasibility of the grid-connected multi-microgrid network is justified in the results obtained where the MGCC (Micro Grid Central Controller) decisions are presented, based on the optimization results. The developed approach is successfully implemented on two test microgrids proposed to be located in the Tuticorin city of Tamil Nadu state, India. The test microgrids are a modification of the standard PJM 5 bus system. Indian utility 62 bus system for Tamil Nadu state is utilized as the main grid interconnected with the proposed multi-microgrid network for power sharing purposes.

KEYWORDS:

• Microgrids
• Multi-agent control
• Multi-microgrid network
• Optimization
• Pump hydro storage
• Renewable energy sources
• Social benefit

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jasmine Kaur

Jasmine Kaur obtained her BE (Honours) in electrical and electronics engineering from Panjab University, Chandigarh, India in 2012 and ME in power systems from Thapar University, Patiala, India in 2015. Presently, she is a PhD scholar in the Department of Electrical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur, India. Her research interests include deregulation of power systems and green microgrids. Corresponding Author. Email: [email protected]

Yog Raj Sood

Yog Raj Sood, former director, NIT Puducherry, obtained his BE degree in electrical engineering and ME in power systems from PEC Chandigarh, India in 1984 and 1987, respectively. He was awarded PhD degree from Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee. He has more than 30 years of teaching, research and administrative experience. He is presently working as professor (HAG) with the Department of Electrical Engineering, NIT Hamirpur. His research interests include deregulation of power systems, condition monitoring of power transformers and non-conventional sources of energy. Email: [email protected]

Rajnish Shrivastava

Rajnish Shrivastava led three institutes of national importance as director – National Institutes of Technology at Hamirpur and Jamshedpur and IIIT Una and one private institute as director-Mahindra Ecole Centrale College of Engineering, Telangana. He is presently advisor for Mahindra Educational Institutes, Telangana. He has obtained two MTech degrees followed by a PhD in environment engineering from University of Roorkee. His contributions in the field of academics have been recognized by way of several awards he has been bestowed with. Email: [email protected]