Interactive protocols for distributed energy resource management systems (DERMS)

This paper proposes a novel approach to designing technical and financial protocols needed to support the penetration of distributed energy resources (DERs). It first formulates a complex, hard-to-implement, centralized decision-making objective for providing end-to-end electricity service. It then introduces a new taxonomy of an end-to-end interactive operations planning framework. The taxonomy rests on the dynamic monitoring and decisions systems (DyMoNDS) principles for supporting interactive protocols of (i) end-to-end interactions within a complex, multilayered multi-voltage power system; (ii) dynamic energy resource management system (DERMS) interactions with their DERs as well as with the bulk power system (BPS) operators; and (iii) DERs interactions with DERMS. The distributed model predictive control for creating physically implementable cost functions is essential. Also, the minimal coordination of different layers utilizes an AC optimal power flow that is essential for ensuring power flow delivery. We next provide a proof-of-concept illustration on the IEEE 14 bus system augmented by two standardized microgrids of the proposed interactive protocols, and their potential use for enhancing dynamic host capacity (DHC). While novel, this approach is a natural outgrowth of the existing industry operations: It only requires enhancing decision-making tools by the stakeholders, and carefully-defined protocols for implementing their interactions.