Genetic algorithm based economic operation optimization of a combined heat and power microgrid

To accurately analyze the impact of reactive power on economic dispatch, an optimization model of economic operated CHP microgrid system considering heating income is established. The microsources can provide both active and reactive power in the model. A typical microgrid consisting of wind turbine, photovoltaic, storage battery, micro turbine, fuel cell, heating and electric loads is selected, and economic dispatch strategies of microgird for both islanded and grid-connected modes are presented. Based on power supply reliability of sensitive loads being ensured, the improved genetic algorithm is chosen to optimize active and reactive output of microsources. The storage battery charge and discharge times, microgrid comprehensive operation costs and node voltage fluctuations in one day are comparatively analyzed for the two operation modes. The validity of the proposed model, dispatch strategy and algorithm is proved by the examples.