System and method for the energy management and control of microgrids

A system of controlling a microgrid network, wherein the system comprising:

• a plurality of distributed energy resources configured to supply electrical power to the microgrid network, wherein the microgrid network is further configured to receive the power supply from an electrical grid;
• a plurality of loads coupled to the microgrid network and to the plurality of distributed energy resources;
• and
• a controller coupled to the microgrid network, to the plurality of distributed energy resources and to the plurality of loads, wherein the controller comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the processor configured to execute a dispatch controller function block contained in the memory wherein:
• the dispatch controller function block is configured to cause the processor to:
• receive a power demand from the plurality of loads coupled to the microgrid network, at least one operational constraint comprising output setpoints corresponding to the plurality of distributed energy resources and at least one electrical grid operational constraint comprising import setpoints and export setpoints provided by the electrical grid;
• determine, using the at least one operational constraint, if there is sufficient electrical power available from the plurality of distributed energy resources to power the loads;
• determine, using the at least one electrical grid operational constraint, if sufficient power supply is available to be imported from the electrical grid for use by the plurality of loads;
• determine, using the at least one operational constraint and the at least one electrical grid operational constraint, adjustments required for at least one of the plurality of distributed energy resources and the electrical grid to supply the electrical power to the plurality of the loads;
• control, based on the determined adjustment, the output setpoints of at least one distributed energy source from the plurality of distributed energy resources to match energy supply requirement for the plurality of loads;
• and
• control, based on the determined adjustment, the import setpoints and the export setpoints of the electrical grid to match energy supply requirement for the plurality of loads;
• wherein to control, based on the determined adjustment, the output setpoints of at least one distributed energy source, the import setpoints and the export setpoints of the electrical grid to match energy supply requirement for the plurality of loads, the processor is further configured to:
• iteratively adjust the at least one distributed energy resource among the plurality of distributed energy resources by:
• (i) modifying an output setpoint of one or more first distributed energy resources of the plurality of distributed energy resources at a time instant based on the determined adjustments while holding output setpoints of other distributed energy resources of the plurality of distributed energy resources constant during the modifying;
• (ii) after each modifying, determining whether the power demand of the plurality of loads is satisfied;
• and
• (iii) on determining the power demand of the plurality of loads is not satisfied, selecting one or more second distributed energy resources from the plurality of distributed energy resources and repeat (i)-(ii) till the power demand of the plurality of loads is satisfied, wherein the one or more second distributed energy resources are different from the one or more first distributed energy resources.