Amin Khodaei

Contingency-Constrained PMU Placement in Power Networks

In this paper, a model for the optimal placement of contingency-constrained phasor measurement units (PMUs) in electric power networks is presented. The conventional complete observability of power networks is first formulated and then, different contingency conditions in power networks including measurement losses and line outages are added to the main model. The communication constraints which would limit the maximum number of measurements associated with each installed PMU is considered as measurement limitations. The relevant formulations are also proposed to make the model more comprehensive. The IEEE standard test systems are examined for the applicability of proposed model. The comparison of presented results with those of other methods is presented which would justify the effectiveness of proposed model with regards to minimizing the total number of PMUs and the execution time. A large-scale system with 2383 buses is also analyzed to exhibit the applicability of proposed model to practical power system cases.

Optimal Placement of Phasor Measurement Units Using Immunity Genetic Algorithm

This paper investigates the application of immunity genetic algorithm (IGA) for the problem of optimal placement of phasor measurement units (PMUs) in an electric power network. The problem is to determine the placement sites of the minimal set of PMUs which makes the system observable. Incorporating immune operator in the canonical genetic algorithm (GA), on the condition of preserving GAs advantages, utilizes some characteristics and knowledge of the problems for restraining the degenerative phenomena during evolution, so as to improve the algorithm efficiency. This type of prior knowledge about some parts of optimal solution exists in the PMU placement problem. So, the IGA is adopted in this paper to solve the problem. Also, a new effect which is preventing from familial reproduction is studied which shows an increase in converging speed. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified via IEEE standard systems and a realistic large-scale power system.

Reliability-Constrained Optimal Sizing of Energy Storage System in a Microgrid

This paper presents a model for calculating the optimal size of an energy storage system (ESS) in a microgrid considering reliability criterion. A larger ESS requires higher investment costs while reduces the microgrid operating cost. The optimal ESS sizing problem is proposed which minimizes the investment cost of the ESS, as well as expected microgrid operating cost. Utilizing the ESS, generation shortage due to outage of conventional units and intermittency of renewable units is handled; hence microgrid reliability criterion is satisfied. A practical model for ESS is utilized. Mixed-integer programming (MIP) is utilized to formulate the problem. Illustrative examples show the efficiency of the proposed model.

State of the Art in Research on Microgrids: A Review

The significant benefits associated with microgrids have led to vast efforts to expand their penetration in electric power systems. Although their deployment is rapidly growing, there are still many challenges to efficiently design, control, and operate microgrids when connected to the grid, and also when in islanded mode, where extensive research activities are underway to tackle these issues. It is necessary to have an across-the-board view of the microgrid integration in power systems. This paper presents a review of issues concerning microgrids and provides an account of research in areas related to microgrids, including distributed generation, microgrid value propositions, applications of power electronics, economic issues, microgrid operation and control, microgrid clusters, and protection and communications issues.

SCUC With Hourly Demand Response Considering Intertemporal Load Characteristics

In this paper, the hourly demand response (DR) is incorporated into security-constrained unit commitment (SCUC) for economic and security purposes. SCUC considers fixed and responsive loads. Unlike fixed hourly loads, responsive loads are modeled with their intertemporal characteristics. The responsive loads linked to hourly market prices can be curtailed or shifted to other operating hours. The study results show that DR could shave the peak load, reduce the system operating cost, reduce fuel consumptions and carbon footprints, and reduce the transmission congestion by reshaping the hourly load profile. Numerical simulations in this paper exhibit the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

Microgrid Optimal Scheduling With Multi-Period Islanding Constraints

This paper presents a model for microgrid optimal scheduling considering multi-period islanding constraints. The objective of the problem is to minimize the microgrid total operation cost which comprises the generation cost of local resources and cost of energy purchase from the main grid. The microgrid optimal scheduling problem is decomposed into a grid-connected operation master problem and an islanded operation subproblem. The microgrid capability in operating in the islanded mode for multiple hours is scrutinized by a T-τ islanding criterion. The integer scheduling decisions determined in the master problem will be examined against the microgrid islanding feasibility in the subproblem. The scheduling decisions will be revised using proper islanding cuts if sufficient generation is not available to guarantee a feasible islanding. Islanding cuts will revise generating units, energy storage systems, and adjustable loads schedules. Any change in the schedule of adjustable loads outside the operating time interval specified by consumers is penalized by an inconvenience factor in the objective. Numerical simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed microgrid optimal scheduling model and explore its economic and reliability merits.

Microgrid-Based Co-Optimization of Generation and Transmission Planning in Power Systems

This paper presents an algorithm for the microgrid planning as an alternative to the co-optimization of generation and transmission expansion planning in electric power systems. The integration of microgrids in distribution systems will offer a decentralized control of local resources for satisfying the network reliability and the power quality required by local loads. The objective in this paper is to minimize the total system planning cost comprising investment and operation costs of local microgrids, the co-optimized planning of large generating units and transmission lines, and the expected cost of unserved energy. The cost of unserved energy reflects the cost of load shedding which is added to the objective function for reliability considerations. The microgrid-based co-optimization planning problem is decomposed into a planning problem and annual reliability subproblem. The optimal integer planning decisions calculated in the planning problem will be examined against the system reliability limits in the subproblem and the planning decisions will be revised using proper feasibility cuts if the annual reliability limits are violated. Numerical simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed microgrid-based co-optimization planning in power systems and explore the economic and reliability merits of microgrid planning as compared to grid-based generation and transmission upgrades.

Microgrid Planning Under Uncertainty

This paper presents a model for the microgrid planning problem with uncertain physical and financial information. The microgrid planning problem investigates the economic viability of microgrid deployment and determines the optimal generation mix of distributed energy resources (DERs) for installation. Net metering is considered for exchanging power with the main grid and lowering the cost of unserved energy and DER investments. A robust optimization approach is adopted for considering forecast errors in load, variable renewable generation, and market prices. The microgrid islanding is further treated as a source of uncertainty. The microgrid planning problem is decomposed into an investment master problem and an operation subproblem. The optimal planning decisions determined in the master problem are employed in the subproblem to examine the optimality of the master solution by calculating the worst-case optimal operation under uncertain conditions. Optimality cuts sent to the master problem will govern subsequent iterations. Numerical simulations exhibit the effectiveness of the proposed model and further analyze the sensitivity of microgrid planning results on variety levels of uncertainty.

Transmission Switching in Security-Constrained Unit Commitment

Transmission switching (TS) is introduced in security-constrained unit commitment (SCUC) for alleviating transmission violations and reducing operating costs. The SCUC problem is decomposed into the unit commitment (UC) master problem and the TS subproblem. The UC master problem finds the optimal hourly schedule of generating units. The TS subproblem uses this solution for transmission switching to find the optimal dispatch of units when considering network constraints. The TS subproblem also examines contingencies and identifies required changes to the UC master problem solution when contingencies cannot be mitigated in the TS subproblem. To propose a practical TS model, the standing phase angle difference limit is considered and relevant constraints are added to the TS subproblem. The case studies exhibit the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

Resiliency-Oriented Microgrid Optimal Scheduling

One of complementary value propositions of microgrids is to improve power system resiliency via local supply of loads and curtailment reduction. This subject is investigated in this paper by proposing a resiliency-oriented microgrid optimal scheduling model. The proposed model aims at minimizing the microgrid load curtailment by efficiently scheduling available resources when supply of power from the main grid is interrupted for an extended period of time. The problem is decomposed to normal operation and resilient operation problems. The normal operation problem solution, i.e., unit commitment states, energy storage schedules, and adjustable loads schedules, is employed in the resilient operation problem to examine microgrid capability in supplying local loads during main grid supply interruption. The schedule is revised via resiliency cuts if a zero mismatch is not obtained. Prevailing operational uncertainties in load, non-dispatchable generation, and the main grid supply interruption time and duration are considered and captured using a robust optimization method. The final solution, which is obtained in an iterative manner, is economically optimal, guarantees robustness against prevailing operational uncertainties, and supports a quick islanding with minimum consumer inconvenience and load curtailment. Numerical simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed resiliency-oriented microgrid optimal scheduling model applied to a test microgrid.