Optimisation of multicarrier microgrid layout using selected metaheuristics

This paper presents an efficient methodology of optimising the structure of a multicarrier energy microgrid. The term 'microgrid structure' denotes the type and parameters of energy microsources and storage devices with which a microgrid might be equipped. In order to represent a generation and storage structure of a microgrid, the use of a modified energy hub model has been proposed. An energy hub may be defined as an interface between energy demand/ generation and power supply infrastructure or available local energy resources. The process of planning a technically permissible and economically efficient microgrid structure entails the necessity of providing an adequate optimisation solution. This paper proposes for the first time a solution to the optimal planning problem with a novel energy hub model recently developed by the author. The main objectives for a given problem are set, and then a detailed mathematical model of a stated optimisation problem is described. Both the criterion function and a set of constraints has been presented in detail. Then, two independent metaheuristics - the evolutionary algorithm and particle swarm optimisation - have been proposed and substantiated as exemplary methods of solving the formulated optimisation problem. In the next part of the paper, a calculation example has been presented for the given optimisation problem. The obtained results have been widely analysed and discussed, and areas and topics of future research about the microgrid planning process have also been further presented.