Computational framework based on task and resource scheduling for micro grid design

Within micro grid scenarios, optimal energy management represents an important paradigm to improve the grid efficiency while lowering its burden. While usually real time energy management is considered, an offline approach can be also adopted to maximize the grid efficiency in certain contexts. Indeed, by evaluating the energy management performance according to the user needs, it is possible to asses which technologies allow the overall system to operate at its best, given the expected load level. From this perspective, a computational framework based on the "Mixed-Integer Linear Programming" paradigm has been proposed in this paper as a tool to simulate the micro grid behaviour in terms of energy consumption and in dependence on the technology of choice. By modelling the energy production and storage means, the pool of electricity tasks, and the thermal behaviour of the building, suitable energy management policies for the micro grid scenario under study can be developed and tested in different operating conditions and time horizons. Moreover, the forecasting paradigm has been integrated into the framework to deal with data uncertainty, and a Neural Network approach has been employed on purpose. Performed computer simulations, related to a six-apartments building scenario, have proven that the suggested framework can fruitfully be adopted to assess the effectiveness of different technical solutions in terms of overall energy cost, thus supporting the decisional process occurring during the micro grid design.