An Aggregation Method of Distributed Energy Resources in Distribution Networks based on Zonotopes

As large-scale distributed energy resources (DERs) are integrated into distribution networks, fully exploiting their significant dispatch potential becomes essential. However, DERs have characteristics such as dispersion, heterogeneity, and small unit capacities, which necessitates unified management and dispatch in the form of aggregation clusters. Therefore, this paper proposes an aggregation method of DERs in distribution networks based on zonotopes. First, based on a bottom-up framework, diverse and heterogeneous DERs are classified into two categories: power-type and storage-type, and their original feasible domains are precisely characterized. Then, leveraging the algebraic structure of zonotopes, we formulate an optimization model to approximate each individual feasible domain with a zonotope. Finally, the feasible domain of the aggregation cluster is computed via the Minkowski sum. Case analysis demonstrates that the proposed method achieves average accuracy indexes above 0.7 under most scenarios, verifying the universality, accuracy and efficiency of the proposed aggregation method.