Intelligent energy management of microgrids with flexible demand response

Abstract

This paper deals with the application of a mixed integer distributed ant colony optimization (MIDACO) algorithm as an energy management system for a microgrid represented by real time values and characteristics. The microgrid consisting of numerous sources of renewable energy such as solar photovoltaics, small hydro power plant and battery storage is also able to manage demand response in an intelligent manner so as to reduce the dependency on the utility grid during high peak conditions and also export power to the grid during lower load conditions.