Operational optimization of municipal energy supply systems

Supplying a reliable, efficient, economic electrical service to all customers is the basic responsibility of utilities. However, increasing penetration of new customers in distribution grids as dispersed generation (DG), electric heating systems and electric vehicles (EV), makes conventional operation of energy supply systems difficult while meeting the aforementioned responsibility. Therefore, the question arises if these new customers can be used as standalone energy sources or mobile storage devices to counter aforementioned development and relieve increasing stress on distribution grids. To answer that question a method is developed to optimize the operation of DG units, EV and electric heating systems to prevent extension of existing distribution grids and to achieve minimum operational costs. This paper presents the results of an investigation of an comprehensive supply task in order to demonstrate the functionality of the developed method and to determine the profit of an operational optimization.