Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of flexible distribution of energy and storage resources

Flexible distribution of energy and storage resources (FDERS) offers the benefits of increased resource lifetime, optimal energy storage deployment, enhanced controllability and improved system robustness. It is enabled through the use of reconfiguration, variable interface reactances and/or adjustable distributed energy resource (DER) controls to create a cooperative framework among multiple interconnected DERs in meeting the system load demands. This paper presents a systematic approach towards analysis of FDERS dynamic behavior to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate the above benefits and provide design recommendations. It includes developing theoretical small-signal system models along with detailed time-domain simulations in MATLAB®/Simulink™ environment for an FDERS consisting of multiple interconnected DERs in various cooperative formations.