Cost-optimal operation for a flexible building with local PV in a Singaporean environment

In the future, flexible demand with the combination of renewable energy may hold the key for a sustainable power grid. However, if not managed properly, this combination may pose a threat to the reliability of the grid. In this paper, we analyze the effect on the cost-optimal operation of the flexible building in the presence of locally connected solar photovoltaic (PV) system. Based on a detailed thermal model of a building, an optimization based operational strategy has been presented. The objective of this strategy is to optimally schedule energy and reserve in the presence of flexible loads and the PV system. Two forecasting methods, in a rolling horizon fashion, are deployed to evaluate the interaction between the uncertain PV output and the operation of the whole system. Case studies are performed using the pricing framework of the National Energy Market Singapore (NEMS). Results show that a trade-off exist between the cost optimality of the overall system and the excess PV output fed to the grid (reverse power flow).