This paper presents a framework for forming Virtual Microgrids (VMs) centered around Community Energy Storage (CES) in residential networks with Photovoltaic (PV) units. The framework considers major revenue streams for CES to justify the economic viability and operational feasibility of the VMs. In this framework, a methodology is introduced to optimally cluster a residential distribution grid into VMs. Subsequently, a cost-benefit analysis considering a new business model is conducted to identify the optimal location, size and operational characteristic of CES in each VMs. The proposed framework is tested on IEEE 33-bus test distribution grid, which reflects a typical residential network. Numerical results demonstrated that the proposed framework enables power utility or third party companies to cluster a residential network with rooftop PV into a specified number of VMs and identify the optimal allocation of CES in each VM for maximizing the total net present value of CES deployment. Furthermore, the presented business model generates a profit of almost 35% of the total financial benefit of CES and effectively assist in reducing consumers’ electricity bills.

本文介绍了一个框架，该框架用于在具有光伏（PV）单元的住宅网络中围绕社区能源存储（CES）形成虚拟微电网（VM）。该框架考虑了CES的主要收入来源，以证明VM的经济可行性和运营可行性。在此框架中，引入了一种方法，可以将住宅配电网最佳地集群为虚拟机。随后，进行了考虑新业务模型的成本效益分析，以确定每个VM中CES的最佳位置，大小和运营特征。该框架在IEEE 33总线测试分布网格上进行了测试，该网格反映​​了典型的住宅网络。数值结果表明，该框架使电力公司或第三方公司能够将具有屋顶PV的住宅网络聚集到指定数量的VM中，并确定每个VM中CES的最佳分配，以最大程度地提高CES部署的总净现值。此外，所提出的商业模式所产生的利润几乎占CES总财务收益的35％，并有效地帮助降低了消费者的电费。