Energy management for microgrids integrating renewable sources and hybrid electric vehicles

Abstract

The incorporation of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) offers a promising solution to tackle the energy crisis while reducing environmental challenges. With enhanced control and storage features, PHEVs contribute to greater flexibility in distribution networks. However, managing these vehicles alongside renewable energy sources (RES) presents significant challenges. This study proposes a novel Energy Management Strategy (EMS) for microgrids (MGs) integrating RES and PHEVs. The MG includes wind turbines (WT), photovoltaic panels (PV), micro turbines (MT), fuel cells (FC), storage batteries, PHEVs, and the grid. The primary objective is to minimize operational costs and environmental emissions, framed as an optimization problem. The EMS considers two RES operation scenarios and three electric vehicle (EV) charging modes—uncoordinated, coordinated, and smart—while addressing uncertainties in renewable energy generation and load demand considering the demand response program (DRP). It also incorporates demand response mechanisms for greater resilience. The Kepler Optimization Algorithm (KOA), inspired by Kepler's laws of planetary motion, is employed to tackle the nonlinear optimization problem. KOA models candidate solutions as planetary positions, continuously updating them relative to the optimal solution for comprehensive domain exploration. Simulation results reveal substantial improvements in cost and emission reductions. Without PHEVs, KOA achieves a mean operating cost of 109.623 €ct, 1.46 % lower than benchmark methods, with minimal variability (standard deviation: 0.0002 €ct). For maximum RES generation, costs are further reduced to 86.2143 €ct with consistent performance (standard deviation: 0.0001 €ct). When PHEVs are included, KOA demonstrates cost reductions of up to 17.9 % across various charging modes, showcasing its adaptability and efficiency in dynamic energy systems.