Can microgrids provide a new paradigm for network operation? An evaluation of their technical, commercial, and environmental benefits

▪ Microgrid is capable of overcoming conflicting interests of different stakeholder and achieving a global socio-economic optimum in operation of distributed energy sources. ▪ Economic, technical, and environmental impacts of a Microgrid are intertwined together as simultaneous outcomes of DG, storage, and DSM operation decisions; thus extensive communications are needed among these individual entities so as to maximize the potential benefits from a Microgrid. ▪ Proper planning of a Microgrid requires knowledge and simulation of its actual operating conditions; while in the mean time different planning decisions (especially referring to DG/RES penetration level) will lead to different levels of potential benefits that the Microgrid could bring about.