Optimal Planning and Operation of Hybrid Energy System Supplemented by Storage Devices

This paper presents a two-stage model for optimal planning and operation of a distribution network. Optimal siting and sizing of renewable energy sources (RES) as well as electrical energy storage (EES) systems are considered in the proposed hybrid energy system. In this context, the planning problem is considered as a master problem, while there are different sub-problems associated with the short-term operational problem. To properly handle the uncertainties of forecasted load as well as renewable power generations, fair stochastic models are involved in the sub-problems based on historical data of a real grid. The objective function of this problem consists of total investment cost and total operating costs of installed assets. The proposed scheme is implemented on a distribution test system and the obtained results demonstrate the applicability and efficiency of this model in dealing with the optimal operation and planning of distribution networks in the presence of a large number of decision variables. Moreover, simulation results show that joint utilization of the EESs and RESs reduces the annual operational cost and can handle the fluctuations of RESs power generations and hourly demanded loads.