A decentralized robust model for coordinated operation of smart distribution network and electric vehicle aggregators

Abstract Aggregators act as a mediator between electric vehicles (EVs) and distribution network operator (DNO), providing mutual advantages for both. To achieve these advantages, the optimal operation of distribution network and EV aggregators (EVAs) should be coordinated. This paper aims at establishing a decentralized robust model to minimize the total cost of the system by operating the smart distribution network (SDN) and EVAs in a coordinative manner. To tackle the enforced operating uncertainties associated with wind generation and wholesale market price, an adaptive robust optimization (RO) approach is utilized enabling DNO to adjust different conservation levels throughout the operating horizon. In order to preserve the independency of EVAs and reduce the computational burden, the RO based model is solved using a decentralized algorithm which is developed based on the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM). Accordingly, the operating problems of DNO and EVAs are coordinated and optimized, independently. The effectiveness of proposed model is demonstrated using a modified 33-bus smart distribution network with multiple EVAs.