Patent ID: 9733623
Date: 2017-08-15
CPC Classifications: G05B,H02J,Y02P

Claim:
1. A method of controlling operation of a microgrid which comprises a plurality of distributed energy resources including controllable distributed electric generators and electrical energy storage devices, the method comprising: periodically updating a distributed energy resource schedule for the microgrid that includes on/off status of the controllable distributed electric generators and charging/discharging status and rate of the electrical energy storage devices and which satisfies a first control objective for a defined time window, based at least in part on a renewable energy generation and load forecast for the microgrid; periodically determining power set points for the controllable distributed electric generators which satisfy a second control objective for a present time interval within the defined time window, the second control objective being a function of at least the distributed energy resource schedule for the microgrid; periodically updating the distributed energy resource schedule and shifting the defined time window each time-the distributed energy resource schedule is updated, wherein the power set points for the controllable distributed electric generators are determined for at least two successive time intervals within the defined time window before the distributed energy resource schedule is updated again and the defined time window is shifted, wherein: the first control objective ensures a total power generation capacity of all of the controllable distributed electric generators having an on status as indicated by the distributed energy resource schedule is greater than a critical load of the microgrid for the defined time window; and the first control objective is also a function of a correction factor that accounts for at least one of the controllable distributed electric generators having an on status being out of service during the defined time window so that the total power generation capacity remains greater than the critical load of the microgrid over the defined time window even if the microgrid is disconnected from a main grid or at least one of the controllable distributed electric generators is out of service in an island mode.