Coordinated Optimization Method for Virtual Power Plants and Distribution Networks Considering Distributed Energy Storage and Photovoltaics

With the continuous increase in photovoltaic penetration and user electricity consumption, serious upper and lower voltage limit violations often occur at partial nodes of distribution networks due to significant power imbalances between the source side and the user side, which not only increases the power and energy loss of the grid, but also affects the normal electricity consumption of users. This study developed a coordinated dispatch models between virtual power plants (VPPs) and distribution networks from the perspective of supply-demand balance in power distribution systems. By leveraging the capability of VPPs to aggregate diverse distributed energy resources (DERs), the models enable VPPs to actively participate in distribution market operations through the provision of active and reactive power support. This approach effectively mitigates both the upper and lower voltage limit violations, thereby enhancing power quality and the security/reliability of the distribution systems, while simultaneously reducing the total operational costs of the grid. Simulation results demonstrate that the coordinated dispatch models developed in this paper effectively alleviate the upper and lower voltage limit violations in distribution networks by utilizing the flexibility of VPPs, reduce the total operating cost and enhance the overall safety and stability performance of the distribution networks.