Interactive Multi-level planning for energy management in clustered microgrids considering flexible demands

This paper presents a novel interactive multi-level planning strategy for the energy management of distribution networks with clustered microgrids (CMGs). CMGs are a group of microgrids with multiple renewable energy resources that comprise various technologies, such as photovoltaic systems, wind turbines, micro turbines and electric vehicles. This study develops an innovative multi-level optimization framework for the energy management coordination between microgrids and CMGs in the lower level, between clusters and distribution systems, and finally between distribution systems and upstream networks in the upper level. Accordingly, an hourly optimal energy management (HOEM) system is applied to minimize the multi-objective objective function for each level. The lower level may be operated in islanded or grid-connected mode in some hours. This is decided by changing switches between MGs, clusters, and grids, while the upper level is only operated in the grid-connected mode. Moreover, a demand response program that has a great effect on the hourly planning of switches is modeled in the upper level. The proposed model is tested on CMGs and actual distribution systems. The results show the significance of this planning strategy in the techno-economic aspects and optimal power transaction in the distribution system operation.