Optimal design and operation of a grid-connected microgrid

This paper demonstrates that optimal selection of renewable power generators and energy storage devices in a grid-connected micro-grid, in conjunction with an optimal dispatch strategy, can significantly reduce the micro-grid lifetime cost and emission. The paper presents a mathematical model and optimization algorithm to identify the optimal micro-grid configuration (in terms of the installed capacities of the generators) and their (optimal) generation quota in the mix. The results have been demonstrated for an example university campus in the Canadian province of Ontario.