Optimal Selection of Dispatchable Generators in the Microgrid

Optimal selection of dispatchable generators in the microgrid is done by minimizing harmful gasses and particulate matter (PM) emissions, as well as electricity costs. Ranking of the microgrid’s energy sources is obtained by applying multicriteria optimization and the PROMETHEE method. The considered alternatives in this problem are: the gas internal combustion engine (ICE), the diesel ICE, the microturbine, the fuel cell and the gas turbine, whereas their attributes are: CO
2
, SO
2
, CO, NO
X
, HC and PM emissions, capital costs, fixed and variable operational & maintenance costs, and fuel costs. For the chosen data, the best result in ranking is obtained for the fuel cell. However, if just environmental criteria are considered, the gas turbine is the best ranked alternative.