A Comparative Analysis of Rule-Based and Optimization-Based Energy Management for a Campus Microgrid in Sri Lanka

It is challenging to integrate high levels of renewable sources into power distributions systems due to their intermittent nature. Microgrids provide a feasible framework for accommodating higher levels of renewable energy generation while providing other advantages such as improved reliability. However, it is crucial to implement microgrid energy management with proper control methods for the effective utilization of renewable energy and stable operation of the microgrid. Different energy management strategies are employed in microgrids, and the most commonly applied technique in practice is the rule-based energy management, which is the simplest. This article investigates a microgrid pilot project at the University of Moratuwa in Sri Lanka, where the rule-based energy management is in operation. The rule-based energy management strategy is simulated and verified using real data from the microgrid system. Furthermore, an optimization-based method is implemented for the system and the performance metrics of both energy management algorithms are compared.