Optimization of Unit Commitment in Rural Microgrid Considering User Load Characteristics

Rural microgrids offer a flexible and cost-effective operation mode to remote locations for how to supply energy. This paper analyzes the load characteristics of grid-connected rural microgrids during various production periods. An operation model of rural microgrids is developed, which includes wind turbines (WT), photovoltaic (PV) systems, biomass power generation (BPG), energy storage systems (ESS), and agricultural loads. A multi-objective optimization is established with the goals of minimizing the total operating costs and maximizing the comprehensive energy efficiency. Meanwhile, the paper also analyzes the optimal unit commitment for the rural microgrid during different production periods. This paper demonstrates that the total operation costs and comprehensive energy efficiency are related to different agricultural production periods and whether to initiate BPG. Finally, compared with traditional methods, during the peak agricultural production period, initiating the BPG leads to a $288.59 reduction in total operation costs and an 18.36% increase in comprehensive energy efficiency. During the valley agricultural production period, the BPG leads to a $193.57 reduction in total operation costs and a 19.59% increase in comprehensive energy efficiency.