Optimal Energy Management in Smart Grids Including Different Types of Aggregated Flexible Loads

Abstract

In a smart grid, the main target is to control both the energy sources and flexible loads to keep the energy balance. In this paper, a demand response (DR) program is optimally applied to keep this balance. Because plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) can contribute as distributed energy storage and supply in a power grid, DR is applied to PEVs aggregated in parking stations. This paper also includes thermostatically controlled loads (TCLs) such as electric water heaters (EWHs) to be scheduled simultaneously with the PEVs. Part of the Alexandria, Egypt, distribution network is considered for this study. The network contains a number of distributed generation units including energy hubs (EHs), photovoltaic (PV) units, and diesel units. A multilayer individual-based optimization algorithm is proposed to solve the energy management problem of such a system by applying demand-side management (DSM), flexible load schedules, and dispatch of energy sources simultaneously and dependently.