  This paper presents a novel 2-stage microgrid unit commitment (Microgrid-UC)
algorithm considering cold-load pickup (CLPU) effects, three-phase load
balancing requirements, and feasible reconfiguration options. Microgrid-UC
schedules the operation of switches, generators, battery energy storage
systems, and demand response resources to supply 3-phase unbalanced loads in an
islanded microgrid for multiple days. A performance-based CLPU model is
developed to estimate additional energy needs of CLPU so that CLPU can be
formulated into the traditional 2-stage UC scheduling process. A per-phase
demand response budget term is added to the 1st stage UC objective function to
meet 3-phase load unbalance limits. To reduce computational complexity in the
1st stage UC, we replace the spanning tree method with a feasible
reconfiguration topology list method. The proposed algorithm is developed on a
modified IEEE 123-bus system and tested on the real-time simulation testbed
using actual load and PV data. Simulation results show that Microgrid-UC
successfully accounts for CLPU, phase imbalance, and feeder reconfiguration
requirements.
