Improved aggregated distributed energy resource operation method for distribution network considering communication losses

The distribution system operator (DSO) has recently adopted virtual power plant (VPP) operations within the distribution network to efficiently control distributed energy resources (DERs), such as photovoltaic (PV), that are integrated into the grid. VPP operators need to monitor the status of DERs in real time and incorporate the information into the operational scheduling . However, it is not rare to experience data losses from some of their DERs, causing operators to lose DERs' current statuses. The miscommunication may represent a simple communication failure or an entire generation system failure, and a wrong estimation of the status can bring significant economic losses and harm the distribution system operation. The conventional approaches are usually based on a simple substitution or estimation. This study proposes a VPP operational methodology that accounts for the uncertainty of DERs' statuses. First, communication losses and failures are estimated using the historical data of PV plants, followed by calculating the failure ratio based on increasing missing data periods. Then, the failure ratio is used to assess the likelihood of faults when data loss occurs during real-time data collection. A case study is conducted on a VPP that operates an energy storage system and PV power plant integrated into the distribution network. The VPP operator is assumed to adjust its operation schedule using the proposed methodology to incorporate the DSO's requirements. Various missing communication cases are generated with the Monte Carlo simulation. The results are compared with the conventional method using simple state estimation, demonstrating improved grid stability for the DSO and enhanced economic benefits for the VPP operator.