OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGY FOR MANAGING THE CONFIGURATION OF A RURAL MICRO-GRID CONTAINING RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

A significant disadvantage of rural distribution electric grids of 0.4 kV is the lack of the ability to operate their configuration. This disadvantage leads to a decrease in the reliability of electricity supply and significant damage to rural consumers from interruptions in electricity supply. A promising direction is the introduction of distributed generation based on renewable energy sources (RES), electricity storage devices into the structure of rural electric grids and the construction of microgrids based on them. However, the issues of building rural microgrids have not been worked out today, the search for rational options for their structure is being conducted all over the world, the development of equipment for their construction is underway. Therefore, the purpose of the research presented in the article is to determine the tasks and strategies for operating the configuration of rural microgrids containing renewable energy sources (RES) based on the use of means of partitioning and reserving the electric grid, that is, means of controlling its configuration and means of monitoring the parameters of its operation modes. As a means of partitioning and reserving the electric grid, it is proposed to use multi-contact switching systems installed at the points of branches in the grid and equipped with sensors for the parameters of the grid operating modes. The use of multi-contact switching systems allows you to implement a flexible change in the grid configuration when changing its operating modes. Power supply sources are also equipped with sensors. The data from the sensors is transmitted to the virtual power plant, which monitors the operating modes of the grid and forms commands for controlling its configuration. This allows you to monitor the operating modes of grid sections and power supply sources, identify normal, emergency and post-emergency modes and make the necessary changes to the grid configuration in a timely manner. As a strategy for the operation of an electrical grid containing renewable energy sources and configuration operating tools, a strategy is proposed that assumes the maximum use of the energy generated by renewable sources when the restrictions are met – a given level of reliability of power supply to consumers and the quality of electricity supplied to them