Operation of Multi-Carrier Microgrid (MCMG) Considering Demand Response

In this paper, the operation of a future distribution network is discussed under the assumption of a multicarrier microgrid (MCMG) concept. The new model considers a modern energy management technique in electricity and natural gas networks based on a novel demand side management (DSM) which the energy tariff for responsive loads are correlated to the energy input of the network and changes instantly. The economic operation of MCMG is formulated as an optimization problem. In conventional studies, energy consumption is optimized from the perspective of each infrastructure user without considering the interactions. Here, the interaction of energy system infrastructures is considered in the presence of energy storage systems (ESSs), small-scale energy resources (SSERs) and responsive loads. Simulations are performed using MCMG which consists of micro combined heat and power (CHP), photovoltaic (PV) arrays, energy storage systems (ESSs), and electrical and heat loads in grid-connected mode. Results show that the simultaneous operation of various energy carriers leads to a better MCMG performance. Moreover, it has been indicated that energy sales by multi sources to main grids can undoubtedly reduce the total operation cost of future networks.