Interval Optimization for Robust Economic Dispatch in Active Distribution Networks Considering Uncertainty

Significant increases in renewable uptake at the distribution system level, especially solar photovoltaics (PV), can bring about operational challenges for active distribution network (ADN) operators. These challenges primarily stem from the uncertainty inherent in renewable injections and result in dispatch cost risks. Further uncertainty comes in the form of available demand response or dispatchable load. Interval analysis and optimization is a robust problem-solving and decision-making technique that effectively handles parametric uncertainties. In this paper, a novel interval optimization technique is used to formulate and solve the economic dispatch problem of an ADN given renewable generation and dispatchable load capacity uncertainties. The approach is tested and verified on a modified IEEE 13 bus system. The results demonstrate that the proposed interval optimization-based method can properly model the uncertain parameters as intervals to provide insights to operators regarding risks associated with renewable uncertainties.