Natural disasters such as Hurricane Sandy can seriously disrupt the power grids. To increase the resilience of an electric distribution system against natural disasters, this paper proposes a resilient distribution network planning problem (RDNP) to coordinate the hardening and distributed generation resource allocation with the objective of minimizing the system damage. The problem is formulated as a two-stage robust optimization model. Hardening and distributed generation resource placement are considered in the distribution network planning. A multi-stage and multi-zone based uncertainty set is designed to capture the spatial and temporal dynamics of an uncertain natural disaster as an extension to the traditional N-K contingency approach. The optimal solution of the RDNP yields a resilient distribution system against natural disasters. Our computational studies on the IEEE distribution test systems validate the effectiveness of the proposed model and reveal that distributed generation is critical in increasing the resilience of a distribution system against natural disasters in the form of microgrids.

Mobile power sources (MPSs), including electric vehicle fleets, truck-mounted mobile energy storage systems, and mobile emergency generators, have great potential to enhance distribution system (DS) resilience against extreme weather events. However, their dispatch is not well investigated. This paper implements resilient routing and scheduling of MPSs via a two-stage framework. In the first stage, i.e., before the event, MPSs are pre-positioned in the DS to enable rapid pre-restoration, in order to enhance survivability of the electricity supply to critical loads. DS network is also proactively reconfigured into a less impacted or stressed state. A two-stage robust optimization model is constructed and solved by the column-and-constraint generation algorithm to derive first-stage decisions. In the second stage, i.e., after the event, MPSs are dynamically dispatched in the DS to coordinate with conventional restoration efforts, so as to enhance system recovery. A novel mixed-integer programming model that resolves different timescales of MPS dispatch and DS operation, coupling of road and power networks, etc., is formulated to optimize dynamic dispatch of MPSs. Case studies conducted on IEEE 33-node and 123-node test systems demonstrate the proposed method's effectiveness in routing and scheduling MPSs for DS resilience enhancement.

Repair crews(RCs) and mobile power sources(MPSs) are critical resources for distribution system (DS) outage management after a natural disaster. However, their logistics is not well investigated. We propose a resilient scheme for disaster recovery logistics to co-optimize DS restoration with dispatch of RCs and MPSs. A novel co-optimization model is formulated to route RCs and MPSs in the transportation network, schedule them in the DS, and reconfigure the DS for microgrid formation coordinately, etc. The model incorporates different timescales of DS restoration and RC/MPS dispatch, the coupling of transportation and power networks, etc. To ensure radiality of the DS with variable physical structure and MPS allocation, we also model topology constraints based on the concept of spanning forest. The model is convexified equivalently and linearized into a mixed-integer linear programming. To reduce its computation time, preprocessing methods are proposed to pre-assign a minimal set of repair tasks to depots and reduce the number of candidate nodes for MPS connection. Resilient recovery strategies thus are generated to enhance service restoration, especially by dynamic formation of microgrids that are powered by MPSs and topologized by repair actions of RCs and network reconfiguration of the DS. Case studies demonstrate the proposed methodology.

A day-ahead market-clearing model is proposed for smart distribution systems in this paper. Various types of distributed energy resources (DERs), such as distributed energy storage, distributed generators, microgrids, and load aggregators, can bid into the day-ahead distribution-level market. Considering system Volt/VAR control, network reconfiguration and interactions with the wholesale market, an optimization model is built to clear the day-ahead market, through which the distribution locational marginal pricing (DLMPs) for both active power and reactive power are determined. Through derivations of the Lagrangian function and sensitivity factors, DLMPs are decomposed to five components, i.e., marginal costs for active power, reactive power, congestion, voltage support, and loss, which provide price signals to motivate DERs to contribute to congestion management and voltage support. Finally, case studies demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Networked microgrids (NMGs) are clusters of microgrids that are physically connected and functionally interoperable. The massive and unprecedented deployment of smart grid technologies, new business models, and involvement of new stakeholders enable NMGs to be a conceptual operation paradigm for future distribution systems. Much work needs to be done, however, to enable NMGs to achieve seamless coordination, including physical, communication, and functional integration. In this paper, we review and summarize the state-of-the-art methodologies for operation and control of NMGs. We also specifically discuss the notion of dynamic boundaries for advanced microgrid applications. In addition, we introduce the opportunities, challenges, and possible solutions regarding NMGs for improving grid resilience, robustness, and efficiency.

Boosting the resilience of power systems is one of the core requirements of smart grid. In this paper, an integrated resilience response framework is proposed, which not only links the situational awareness with resilience enhancement, but also provides effective and efficient responses in both preventive and emergency states. The core of the proposed framework is a two-stage robust mixed-integer optimization model, whose mathematical formulation is presented in this paper as well. To solve the above model, an algorithm based on the nested column-and-constraint generation decomposition is provided, and computational efficiency improvement techniques are proposed. Preventive response in this paper considers generator re-dispatch and topology switching, while emergency response includes generator re-dispatch, topology switching and load shedding. Several numerical simulations validate the effectiveness of the proposed framework and the efficiency of the solution methodology. Key findings include the following: 1) in terms of enhancing power grid resilience, the integrated resilience response is preferable to both independent preventive response and independent emergency response; 2) the power grid resilience could be further enhanced by utilizing topology switching in the integrated resilience response.