Multi-objective operation of a microgrid in the presence of renewable generation and thermal block

In this paper, the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) generation concerning distribution networks is investigated. Using the distributed generation based on CHP generation is an important breakthrough in dividing distribution networks into microgrids as the building blocks of smart systems. Therefore, it is necessary to study and evaluate the distributed generation performance together with the CHP generation in microgrids and their operations considering electric and thermal energy storage. In this study, considering the CHP generation units with thermal energy storages, the behavior of a CHP unit is provided and the problem of optimal multi-objective operation of the microgrid is formulated using the evolutionary firefly algorithm (FA). Objective functions of interest consist of microgrid operating costs, grid losses, and voltage deviation of buses from the nominal value. To solve the optimization problem, the evolutionary firefly algorithm is used due to its robustness and effectiveness in this area. The study network has 69 busbars, including several distributed generation units, as well as the CHP generation resources. The obtained results show the effectiveness of multi-objective operation planning of microgrids using thermal loads. By achieving the optimal daily curve of active and thermal power of distributed generation and storage, the proposed scheme can improve economic and operation situation of the network simultaneously; in other words, it can minimize the operating cost of the microgrid, energy loss, and voltage deviations functions simultaneously.