Open Access

ARTICLE

Operation Optimization of Microgrid Clusters Coordinated with Distribution Systems with Limited Information Exchange

Qianfeng Wu¹, Dabo Xie¹, Wenhua Ni², Junjie Zhou¹, Xuantong Lu¹, Chengying Ma¹, Rongqiang Li^2,*, Yang Li^2,*
1 Suqian Electric Power Design Institute Co., Ltd., Suqian, 223800, China
2 School of Electrical and Power Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, 211100, China
* Corresponding Author: Rongqiang Li. Email: ; Yang Li. Email:
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Innovations and Challenges in Smart Grid Technologies)

Energy Engineering https://doi.org/10.32604/ee.2026.073197

Received 12 September 2025; Accepted 29 December 2025; Published online 19 January 2026

Abstract

With the deepening of the power system reform, an increasing number of microgrids are being integrated into the distribution network. In traditional centralized optimization algorithms, the optimal power flow model of the distribution network and the optimal scheduling model of microgrid clusters are directly coupled and solved simultaneously. This process involves extensive information exchange between the upper distribution network system and the lower microgrid clusters, which not only increases the communication burden but also prolongs computation time and raises computational complexity. Moreover, it requires excessive information sharing, making it difficult to achieve limited information exchange between the upper and lower systems. In this paper, an optimization model and solution method based on the analytical target cascading approach are proposed. First, a typical microgrid model is constructed. On this basis, a collaborative optimization model for the active distribution network (ADN) and microgrid clusters is established. The distribution network and the microgrid clusters are treated as a unified entity of interest, with their interconnection power represented as virtual generators and virtual loads to achieve decoupling. Finally, simulations based on the IEEE-33 node standard system are conducted. Compared with the centralized algorithm, the effectiveness of the analytical target cascading method in coordinating the distribution network and microgrid clusters is verified. The proposed approach reduces computational complexity and enables optimized operation with limited information exchange.

---

Keywords

Distribution network; microgrid clusters; analysis target cascading; collaborative optimization; optimal scheduling; limited information exchange

---