A*-based optimal coordination of vehicle-to-grid batteries and renewable generators in a distribution network

The increasing integration of Electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable generators (RGs) is an inevitable trend in power system development to control the release of greenhouse gases and pollution and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. This will challenge distribution networks, which have constrained capacities, due to the intrinsic intermittence of renewable power and additional charging load demand of EVs. However, appropriate dispatch of EVs via vehicle-to-grid (V2G) operation in coordination with RGs can solve the stability issues and provide operational support for the power grid and benefit both environment and EV users. This paper utilizes the A∗ search procedure for the first time to solve the optimal decentralized coordinated dispatch problem of RGs and EVs, which is formulated as a distributed multi-objective constraint optimisation problem using the Analytic Hierarchy Process. Both power grid and EV users' concerns and priorities are taken into account. The proposed algorithm is tested on a radial distribution network, a modified UK generic distribution system (UKGDS). The simulation results demonstrate the feasibility and stability of the proposed A∗-based optimal coordinated dispatch strategy.