Energy Management of a Multi-Agent Based Multi-Microgrid System

This paper presents a model-based optimization algorithm for short-term energy trading in a multi-microgrid system. The multi-microgrid system has a hierarchical design architecture which is based on the Multi-Agent System (MAS) concept. Mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) which takes into consideration multiple constraints is used to obtain the optimum amount of power that will be generated, sold, or stored for the Energy Management System (EMS) of the multi-microgrid system at different time intervals. By using the proposed optimization algorithm, the EMS will ensure that power balance in the multi-microgrid system is achieved through energy trading between different interconnecting microgrids. The proposed optimization algorithm and hierarchical multi-microgrid system design architecture have the capability to ensure that the multi-microgrid system operates in a coordinated and economic manner. The design concept is demonstrated through different test case scenarios and the results obtained are discussed.