Robust optimal coordination of active distribution networks and energy communities with high penetration of renewables

Decarbonization of the energy sector calls for new energy sources and power-system operation paradigms. In this context, consumers can partake in system operation as loads and generators by leveraging own resources, such as rooftop photovoltaics (PVs). These prosumers can be gathered into energy communities (ECs) and operated in a centralized manner to exploit eventual synergies optimally. The ECs are usually connected to a distribution network and thus interact with the distribution grid operator (DSO), complicating the scheduling strategies under agent interactions. Moreover, the DSO can thus manage his own resources such as distributed generators or medium-scale storage systems. The operation becomes more complex due to multi-source uncertainties in ECs and DSO. This paper addresses this issue by developing a novel bi-level energy management framework for the robust optimal coordination of ECs and DSO against uncertainties. In this framework, the upper-level agents provide the information by solving the designed optimization problems for the EC operation, sending it to the lower-level agents to facilitate the optimal scheduling of distributed assets. In particular, a novel robust reformulation of the lower level problem is proposed, to handle with uncertainties in renewable generation, demands, and energy prices fixed by the local retailer. The resulting formulation is mixed-integer-linear programming that is efficiently manageable by common solvers. Simulation results on the standard IEEE 33-bus distribution system with six connected ECs and various distributed assets (e.g., renewable generators and storage systems) demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed framework. The results also evidence the vital role of storage systems in maximizing the DSO's profits while reducing the ECs' operating costs.