An interactive operation management of a micro grid with multiple distributed generations using multi objective uniform water cycle algorithm
Accommodation of DGs (distributed generations) close to loads has led to the concept of MG (micro grid) for better reliability and quality of energy supply. MG as a clump of consumers and DGs can operate in stand alone and grid connected modes, and often needs ESS (energy storage system) to handle generation surplus/shortage. Variations of renewable sources and consumptions along with economical and environmental issues necessitate an efficient OM (operation management) of MG for short term scheduling of energy outputs of DGs, ESS and exchange route to upstream macro grid. This paper presents MOUWCA (multi objective uniform water cycle algorithm) for optimal OM of MG considering operation cost and emission as objectives. The problem is casted to find 24 POFs (pareto optimal fronts) corresponding to 24 h of the day (unlike previous studies giving one POF per day) to provide more flexibility for selecting hourly compromise solutions. Through an interactive process, charging/discharging of ESS is balanced over a day based on the desired order of hours for discharging ESS. MOUWCA is examined on some benchmark problems and compared with NSGA II (non dominated GA II) MOPSO (multi objective particle swarm optimization) and NCA (normal constraint algorithm) to verify its effectiveness. MOUWCA is then applied to a typical MG where its superiority is confirmed in comparison to other previously used algorithms.