Concept study of microgrid dispatch strategy for solar thermal power plant with thermal storage

Abstract

Complex grid systems have been gradually replaced by smaller and simpler grid systems called Microgrids. Integration of a solar thermal power generation systems into Microgrids open a new horizon of renewable energy power generation to achieve the supply and demand balance of electricity. Microgrid dispatch strategy is a control method of energy balance between power generation and electricity consumption. A thermal storage integrated into the system buffers the intermittency of solar radiation used as the heat source of the power generation system. The daily starting time for the power generation is determined by the dispatch strategy in search of minimum power from the conventional grid and maximum electricity generation from the solar thermal power generation system. In the simulation stage, the heat energy available for power generation and amount of thermal energy saved in the thermal storage is calculated at each time step using measured solar radiation data as the heat source and load profile data as the consumption required. Based on the simulation result, the power generation starting time for the next day is determined. The effectiveness of the proposed dispatch strategy is demonstrated by obtaining the best starting time and identifying minimum power requiredfrom the conventional grid. The power supply from the conventional grid is reduced by 10% by applying the proposed methodology.