Priority-based Management Algorithm in Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems

With the growing penetration of distributed energy resources (DERs), there is increasing concern that technical challenges in electric distribution system planning and operation may limit the integration of new DERs on the distribution grid. Several utilities in the U.S. are actively pursuing distributed energy resource management systems (DERMS) as an alternative to traditional utility infrastructure upgrades such as line and transformer replacements needed to improve hosting capacity. This paper proposes a priority-based AC optimal power flow algorithm to control DERs that can be implemented in a DERMS platform. The “last-connected, first-curtailed” approach widely used in the industry may cause significantly more DER curtailment than necessary, especially in looped and meshed distribution systems. The priority-based optimal power flow algorithm proposed mitigates the same distribution system violations with minimum DER curtailment. It also offers the ability to easily shift between controlling DERs based on interconnection order and minimizing total system curtailment.