Cloud-based microgrid control
A method and system of optimizing microgrid operations is provided. One or more intelligent microgrid coordinators interface with the microgrid such that those microgrid coordinators are able to measure and control all microgrid asset activities. The microgrid coordinator is used to forecast the microgrid's demanded load more accurately, and assign asset commands so as to optimize microgrid consumption, generation, and storage of load. The method and system incorporate a valuation of dispatchable load in optimization functions. The microgrid coordinator is further used to protect the microgrid assets from over-current situations when the microgrid is connected to the bulk electric system and when islanded. The method and system provide a means to test the microgrid controller prior to implementation on the microgrid in order to assure proper operation.
1. A method for managing the operation of a microgrid, said method comprising the steps of:
a. Optimizing the forecast of load demanded by the microgrid, comprising:
i. Categorizing load-demanding assets into at least two different load types, said load types being based on the functional characteristics of those load-demanding assets;
ii. Using the functional characteristics and number of load-demanding assets belonging to each load-type to estimate the total load demanded for each load type;
iii. Summing the estimated total load demanded for all load types;
b. Ensuring the microgrid is obtaining said load demanded by the microgrid in the most economically optimal fashion, comprising:
i. Identifying the load amount to be obtained;
ii. Identifying properties of potential load resources for that load;
iii. Formulaically determine the economically optimal amount of said load to be attributed to each load resource within applied constraints;
iv. Distribute commands to microgrid assets to conform to the formulaically determined plan;
c. Protecting microgrid load assets from over-current situations, comprising:
i. Developing current-fault limits for grid-connected and isolated modes of operation;
ii. Separating the faulting portion of the microgrid from the bulk electric system when in the grid-connected mode of operation and current over the grid-connected fault limit is detected;
iii. Isolating the faulting portion of the microgrid when in the islanded mode of operation and current over the islanded fault limit is detected;
wherein multiple estimation methods are employed to estimate the total load demanded for each load type;
wherein estimation results of any single estimation method for any single load type are discarded if those estimation results deviate significantly from the mean of all the estimation results for that load type, and
further comprising determining the mean of the non-discarded estimation results for each load type.
2. A system designed to manage the operation of a microgrid, said system comprising at least one microgrid coordinator device interfaced with at least one asset on a microgrid, said microgrid coordinator device designed to:
a. Optimize the forecast of load demanded by the microgrid by:
i. Categorizing load-demanding assets into at least two different load types, said load types being based on the functional characteristics of those load-demanding assets;
ii. Using the functional characteristics and number of load-demanding assets belonging to each load-type to estimate the total load demanded for each load type;
iii. Summing the estimated total load demanded for all load types;
b. Ensure the microgrid is obtaining said load demanded by the microgrid in the most economically optimal fashion by:
i. Identifying the load amount to be obtained;
ii. Identifying properties of potential load resources for that load;
iii. Formulaically determine the economically optimal amount of said load to be attributed to each load resource within applied constraints;
iv. Distribute commands to microgrid assets to conform to the
v. formulaically determined plan;
c. Protect microgrid load assets from over-current situations by:
i. Developing current-fault limits for grid-connected and isolated modes of operation;
ii. Separating the faulting portion of the microgrid from the bulk electric system when in the grid-connected mode of operation and current over the grid-connected fault limit is detected; and
iii. Isolating the faulting portion of the microgrid when in the islanded mode of operation and current over the islanded fault limit is detected;
wherein multiple estimation methods are employed to estimate the total load demanded for each load type;
wherein estimation results of any single estimation method for any single load type are discarded if those estimation results deviate significantly from the mean of all the estimation results for that load type, and
further comprising determining the mean of the nondiscarded estimation results for each load type.