Using piecewise linearization method to PCS input/output-efficiency curve for a stand-alone microgrid unit commitment

Abstract

When operating a stand-alone micro grid, the battery energy storage system (BESS) and a diesel generator are key components needed in order to maintain demand-supply balance. Using Unit Commitment (UC) to calculate the optimal operation schedule of a BESS and diesel generator helps minimize the operation cost of the micro grid. While calculating the optimal operation schedule for the microgrid, it is important that it reflects the actual characteristics of the implanted devices, in order to increase the schedule result accuracy. In this paper, a piecewise linearization, on the actual power conditioning system (PCS) input/output-efficiency characteristic curve, has been considered while calculating the optimal operation schedule using UC. The optimal schedule result calculated by the proposed method has been examined by comparing the schedule calculated by a fixed input/output-efficiency case, which is conventionally used while solving UC for a stand-alone microgrid.