Goal-Programming-Based Multi-Objective Optimization in Off-Grid Microgrids

Abstract

Renewable-based off-grid microgrids are considered as a potential solution for providing electricity to rural and remote communities in an environment-friendly manner. In such systems, energy storage is commonly utilized to cope with the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources. However, frequent usage may result in the fast degradation of energy storage elements. Therefore, a goal-programming-based multi-objective optimization problem has been developed in this study, which considers both the energy storage system (battery and electric vehicle) degradation and the curtailment of loads and renewables. Initially, goals are set for each of the parameters and the objective of the developed model is to minimize the deviations from those set goals. Degradation of battery and electric vehicles is quantified using deep discharging, overcharging, and cycling frequency during the operation horizon. The developed model is solved using two of the well-known approaches used for solving multi-optimization problems, the weighted-sum approach and the priority approach. Five cases are simulated for each of the methods by varying weight/priority of different objectives. Besides this, the impact of weight and priority values selected by policymakers is also analyzed. Simulation results have shown the superiority of the weighted-sum method over the priority method in solving the formulated problem.