Microgrids Planning using Mathematical Models and Modern Solution Techniques

• Grant number: 25/02567-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Electrical Engineering - Power Systems
• Principal Investigator: Marcos Julio Rider Flores
• Grantee: Marcos Julio Rider Flores
• Host Investigator: Bala Venkatesh
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Elétrica e de Computação (FEEC). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), Canada
• Associated research grant: 21/11380-5 - CPTEn - São Paulo Center for the Study of Energy Transition, AP.CCD

Abstract

A microgrid can be defined as a "group of interconnected loads and distributed energy resources within clearly defined electrical boundaries that act as a single controllable entity in relation to the network and can connect and disconnect from the network to allow it to operate in both connected to the network as in island mode"1. Thus, microgrids will be an efficient and modern alternative to combat interruption for consumers or groups of consumers that are more sensitive and more affected. A properly planned microgrid can reduce losses, increase the efficiency of renewable energy and create new business models. In Brazil, some R&D projects related to the insertion and operation of renewable sources of generation and energy storage systems in small-scale distribution systems have been developed in recent years. In most R&D projects, the benefits of the insertion and efficient operation of renewable generation and storage systems and the production of new products, new techniques and business models for the use of these technologies in the areas of influence of companies and institutions involved. Thus, due to the great potential for renewable generation in Brazil, particularly of the solar type, and the decrease in the costs of storage devices, photovoltaic systems, and supervision/control of electricity grids, there is a real and practical motivation for the implementation of microgrids, particularly in buildings, college campuses, and residential communities; and for the development of technologies for the energy management of microgrids. Based on the above facts, it is possible to predict that the number of new microgrids will increase in Brazil, especially in the coming years. However, the implementation of new microgrids brings the challenge of maximizing their benefits arising from different technologies and minimizing the adverse impacts and associated costs for implementation. The objective of the project is to develop energy management methodologies in time scales of minutes, hours and days for the operation of microgrids and new mathematical models and modern solution techniques or for the planning of microgrids. The new mathematical models will be written in the AMPL mathematical programming language and the solution will be obtained through the commercial CPLEX solvers. Modern solution techniques will be implemented in the Python programming language.