Stochastic scheduling of a renewable-based microgrid in the presence of electric vehicles using modified harmony search algorithm with control policies

Modern power systems are seeking for alternative energy sources will less emission to conventional fossil-fuel power plant to mitigate the global concerns on environmental issues. On one hand, renewable energies have turned to the first choice of system operators. On the other hand, the system should provide the required infrastructure to appropriately accommodate such energy sources. In this respect, microgrids (MG) would provide the needed conditions for integrating renewable energy sources (RESs). Thus, the optimal energy management of such systems in the presence of highly uncertain renewable power generation is of great importance. Accordingly, this paper provides a stochastic programming framework for the optimal scheduling of an MG equipped with RESs and plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs). The power sources considered include a wind energy system in the form of wind turbine (WT), a solar photovoltaic (PV) system, a fuel cell (FC), a microturbine (MT), besides a battery storage system (BSS). The mentioned problem is formulated as a single-objective optimization problem aimed at minimizing the total operating cost over the scheduling period. The MG is considered in the grid-connected mode where it can transact power with the upstream system. The uncertainty of the problem is due to the intermittent power output of the wind energy system and the PV unit, as well as uncertain behavior of the EV owners in charging/discharging their vehicles. The proposed stochastic optimization problem is the solved using an effective and efficient optimization algorithm named modified harmony search (MHS) algorithm. Finally, the simulation results are discussed and the superior performance of the suggested algorithm is verified through making a comprehensive comparison with some well-known methods.