Development of Optimal Algorithm to Interconnect Multiple Microgrids in an Agricultural-based Remote Community

Abstract

Individual remote agro-based micro-grid is prone to reliability and resilient instability issues due to large sudden load or generation fluctuations. Therefore, it is important to integrate several micro-grids to solve the issue of reliability. An interconnected micro-grid system takes advantage of various complementary energy sources and effectively coordinates the energy sharing among the neighbouring micro-grids to improve the stability, reliability, and energy efficiency of the system in case of loss or insufficient power supply from one micro-grid. Control of energy management and communication for inter-micro-grid becomes complex and challenging in these areas due to the excess demand of agro-based consumer loads. In this paper, a decision-making algorithm that provides smart solution in interconnecting several neighbouring micro-grids to optimally share the supply is developed. A case study is presented and HOMER Pro software is used to optimize three proposed micro-grids and ensure optimal energy sharing.