Optimal Use of Distributed Resources to Control Energy Variances in Microgrids

This paper presents the optimization of distributed energy resources in a community microgrid. An optimal power flow is used to determine the optimal allocation of resources using an evolutionary programming method, achieving the lowest cost of supplying the demand while accounting for physical and operational constraints. The energy variances were managed and controlled within the microgrid. Different scenarios of high integration of distributed resources were studied using the algorithm. The utility could be used to supply a constant energy block or for backup power. The algorithm was successfully used to allocate resources while achieving a high load factor value.