Optimum Energy Management in Smart Grids Based on Power Pinch Analysis

This work proposes a systemic approach to identify optimum power management strategies (PMS) in renewable energy smart-grids by using the Power Grand Composite Curves (PGCC) approach to adaptively adjust the system operation in short-term power requirements. This is approached by a) using the PGCC to target the optimum power requirements for the subsequent time interval and b) then adjusting the system PMS in the current time-interval to meet the identified target by the end of this interval. First the system PGCC is developed for the subsequent time interval, indicating the external non-renewable input required to satisfy the expected power demands. An appropriate shift in the PGCC sets a target of the minimum power inventory needed by the end of the current interval to completely avoid the use of non-renewable power input in the subsequent interval. The development of this power inventory is then approached in the current interval by identifying the PMS that best satisfies this target. The method is illustrated through a hybrid smart grid considering multiple renewable sources and storage options.