A security-constrained robust optimization for energy management of active distribution networks with presence of energy storage and demand flexibility

A discernible rise in the frequency and intensity of unpredictable events and their significant social and economic effects have made power system planners pay special attention to the security and reliability of power networks. For this purpose, this article tries to provide an efficient model for strengthening the security of active distribution networks based on multiple microgrids by optimally using energy storage resources and consumption management plans. In the proposed plan, a hierarchical two-stage approach has been developed in which the first stage models the incident and their impact on the distribution network. Then, in the next stage, preventive and corrective measures are implemented to increase system readiness and reduce damages caused by severe accidents. At this stage, various tools such as energy storage, distributed and renewable production sources have been used in addition to responsive loads. In the corrective phase, the independent microgrid partitioning method is used to restore the distribution network to increase the speed of load pickup process. In order to consider the uncertainty and the risk caused by events on the performance of the proposed plan, the problem is done by robust optimization to obtain more realistic results. Finally, in order to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method in improving the security of distribution systems, a standard network of 33 buses was used with different operating conditions. The results confirm that the proposed security-constrained robust optimization plan not only reduces system operating costs, but also improves consumer security in the face of severe accidents. Although the increase in network security is associated with a slight increase in system costs, the benefit of reducing outages and optimal use of network capacity has led to the effectiveness of the proposed plan.