Microgrids Multiobjective Design Optimization for Critical Loads

Since microgrids with renewable generation and energy storage can achieve high reliability, they present an attractive solution for powering critical loads. Microgrids should be carefully planned and optimized to meet the power requirements of critical loads and justify their economic viability. Conventional microgrid design approaches consider a fixed power architecture, focusing mainly on improving the financial aspects of the design by sizing its energy sources. This paper introduces a new Vectorial Microgrid Optimization (VMO) design method for critical loads. The proposed VMO improves the microgrid design by 1) incorporating the selection of the microgrid power conversion architecture and the size of the energy sources into a unified design strategy, 2) implementing multi-objective optimization to find the desired balance between the microgrid power supply availability, net present cost, and power efficiency. Through the use of graph theory, the proposed VMO automates the architecture selection process. The benefits of the proposed VMO method are highlighted in a critical load case-study to find the optimal microgrid design. The obtained microgrid design is compared with the results of existing microgrid planning tools and the standard industry approach for powering critical loads.