Improving energy outcomes in dynamically formed micro-grid coalitions

Abstract

The energy micro-grid, which is a local energy network that generates and consumes its own electricity, has become an effective method for the rural electrification. Typically a micro-grid is also connected to the nearby external utility grid to sell and buy power. Any failures of the utility grid usually have negative implications on the micro-grid. Whenever there is a deficit of generation, a micro-grid is not able to meet its local demand, and as a result, the community that it serves suffers from the discomfort ("pain") of not meeting its demand. To address this problem, we present in this paper the idea of forming coalitions among micro-grids in order to reduce the pain level of the communities in the coalition. We describe how sharing among the com- munities in the coalition works and how membership in such communities can be changed dynamically. Based on our simulation experiments, we observe that a dynamic coalition formation approach can provide improved energy outcomes in a straightforward manner.