A Two-Layer EMS for Cooperative Sugarcane-based Microgrids

This paper presents a solution for the energy magement and resource sharing problem of cooperative renewable-energy-based microgrids. Such solution is based on a two-level hierarchical optimization procedure to coordinate the operation of networked microgrids and optimally share their combined energetic resources, aiming to enlarge the renewable generation share while guaranteeing maximal efficiency and profit. The supervision layer is a Real-Time Optimization scheme, designed to determine energy-generation set-points for the distributed plants as well as resource sharing rules, taking into account their models, operational constraints and future predicted behaviour of the renewable sources. The lower layer is a Model Predictive Control loop, designed to follow energy generation set-points passed top-down by the upper layer and abide by demands, while respecting operational constraints. This work is focused on cooperative microgrids based on Brazilian sugarcane industries. Such plants are usually located in various sites, while being owned by the same company that has a fixed energy contract with the Distribution Network Operator. The biomass sources may be transported from one plant to another, if deemed convenient. This case study is taken into account and high-fidelity numerical simulations are presented to assess the effectiveness and qualities of the proposed energy management strategy, which yields overall good results.