Two-Stage Robust Optimization Model for Flexible Response of Micro-Energy Grid Clusters to Host Utility Grid

Hongkai Zhang, Outing Zhang (), Peng Li, Xianyu Yue and Zhongfu Tan
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Hongkai Zhang: Economic Research Institute, State Grid Henan Electric Power Company, Zhengzhou 450052, China
Outing Zhang: School of Economics and Management, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
Peng Li: Economic Research Institute, State Grid Henan Electric Power Company, Zhengzhou 450052, China
Xianyu Yue: Economic Research Institute, State Grid Henan Electric Power Company, Zhengzhou 450052, China
Zhongfu Tan: School of Economics and Management, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 12, 1-24

Abstract: As a decentralized energy management paradigm, micro-energy grid (MEG) clusters enable synergistic operation of heterogeneous distributed energy assets, particularly through multi-energy vector coupling mechanisms that enhance distributed energy resource (DER) utilization efficiency in next-generation power networks. While individual MEGs demonstrate limited capability in responding to upper-grid demands using surplus energy after fulfilling local supply/demand balance, coordinated cluster operation significantly enhances system-wide flexibility. This paper proposes a two-stage robust optimization model that systematically addresses both the synergistic complementarity of multi-MEG systems and renewable energy uncertainty. First, the basic operation structure of MEG, including distributed generation, cogeneration units, and other devices, is established, and the operation mode of the MEG cluster responding to host utility grid flexibly is proposed. Then, aiming to reduce operation expenses, an optimal self-scheduling plan is generated by establishing a MEG scheduling optimization model; on this basis, the flexibility response capability of the MEG is measured. Finally, to tackle the uncertainty issue of wind and photovoltaic power generation, the two-stage robust theory is employed, and the scheduling optimization model of MEG cluster flexibility response to the host utility grid is constructed. A southern MEG cluster is chosen for simulation to test the model and method’s effectiveness. Results indicate that the MEG cluster’s flexible response mechanism can utilize individual MEGs’ excess power generation to meet the host utility grid’s dispatching needs, thereby significantly lowering the host utility grid’s dispatching costs.

Keywords: micro-energy grid cluster; flexible response; two-stage robust optimization; host utility grid (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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