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Optimal Control of Smart Distributed Power and Energy Systems

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A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "F: Electrical Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 July 2021) | Viewed by 11719

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Roberto Sacile

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Guest Editor

Department of Informatics, Bio-Engineering, Robotics and Systems Engineering, University of Genoa, 16145 Genoa, Italy
Interests: control and optimization; systems analysis; decision support systems; smart grids

Dr. Giulio Ferro

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Guest Editor

Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Roborotics, and Systems Engineering, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
Interests: multiagent systems; distributed optimization and control; power grid modeling; energy markets

Dr. Michela Robba

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Guest Editor

DIBRIS—Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics and Systems Engineering, University of Genova, 16145 Genova, Italy
Interests: optimization; control; planning and control of smart grids; electric vehicles
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

The increment of renewable resources usage, distributed generation and storage, demand response programs, and electric vehicle charging stations has led to a need to change the structure of the electrical grid into one that is more flexible. Due to uncertainties associated with the availability of renewable sources, distributed green power production systems can create some problems in the distribution grid, such as power quality losses in the power network, voltage unbalances, and undesired peaks. Typically, traditional controllable generators are used to compensate these fluctuations, causing efficiency losses (increasing operational and maintenance costs) and a decrease in the regulation margins for the distribution grid.

Hence, new methodological and technological approaches are increasingly required to optimally manage renewable resources and to integrate them into the new energy systems. These energy systems are equipped by smart instrumentation that can led to a cooperative and distributed way of controlling the whole system, and by a transition from a centralized structure to a decentralized one (both in terms of sources and controls).

The main aim of the Special Issue is to collect papers in the field of modeling, control, and optimization of power distribution grids (both in standalone and grid-connected operation), with specific attention to methods and real infrastructure applications.

Specific topics of interest for the Special Issue include, amongst others:

New models for distribution power grids;
Optimal control and planning of distribution grids (both in grid-connected and islanded mode);
Optimal control and planning of hybrid systems (wind, hydrogen, fuel cells, hydroelectric plants, etc.);
Hierarchical control;
Cooperative and non-cooperative control;
Optimal integration and planning of renewables in distribution grids;
Stochastic optimization;
Model predictive control;
Distributed optimization;
Optimal control of aggregators of demand response;
New power market structures for distribution grids;
Modeling and control of flexible loads;
Applications in different demand contexts (e.g., industrial, agriculture, smart cities).

Prof. Roberto Sacile
Dr. Giulio Ferro
Prof. Michela Robba
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

optimal control
distributed optimization
renewable resources
storage systems
power converters
distribution grids
cooperative control

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Editorial

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2 pages, 154 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Optimal Control of Smart Distributed Power and Energy Systems

by Giulio Ferro, Michela Robba and Roberto Sacile

Energies 2022, 15(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15010003 - 21 Dec 2021

Viewed by 986

Abstract

The increase in intermittent renewable energy resources and distributed generation has led to the need for developing new controllers and management techniques for smart grids [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimal Control of Smart Distributed Power and Energy Systems)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

23 pages, 6307 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application-Oriented Reactive Power Management in German Distribution Systems Using Decentralized Energy Resources

by Haonan Wang, Markus Kraiczy, Denis Mende, Sebastian Stöcklein and Martin Braun

Energies 2021, 14(16), 4949; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14164949 - 12 Aug 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1813

Abstract

Due to higher penetration of renewable energy sources, grid reinforcements, and the utilization of local voltage control strategies, a significant change in the reactive power behavior as well as an increased demand for additional reactive power flexibility in the German power system can be predicted. In this paper, an application-oriented reactive power management concept is proposed, which allows distribution system operators (DSO) to enable a certain amount of reactive power flexibility at the grid interfaces while supporting voltage imitations in the grid. To evaluate its feasibility, the proposed concept is applied for real medium voltage grids in the south of Germany and is investigated comprehensively in different case studies. The results prove the feasibility and reliability of the proposed concept, which allows the DSO to control the reactive power exchange at grid interfaces without causing undesired local voltage problems. In addition, it can be simply adjusted and widely applied in real distribution grids without requiring high investment costs for complex information and communication infrastructures. As a significant contribution, this study provides an ideal bridging solution for DSOs who are facing reactive power issues but have no detailed and advanced monitoring system for their grid. Moreover, the comprehensive investigations in this study are performed in close cooperation with a German DSO, based on a detailed grid model and real measurement data. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimal Control of Smart Distributed Power and Energy Systems)

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27 pages, 46819 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Robust Power Sharing and Voltage Stabilization Control Structure via Sliding-Mode Technique in Islanded Micro-Grid

by Quan-Quan Zhang and Rong-Jong Wai

Energies 2021, 14(4), 883; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14040883 - 08 Feb 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2597

Abstract

With a focus on the problems of active power sharing and voltage deviation of parallel-connected inverters in an islanded micro-grid (MG), in this study, the power-voltage droop controller and the inner voltage regulator are redesigned based on a total sliding-mode control (TSMC) technique. As for the power-voltage droop control loop, a droop control relation error between the active power and the point-of-common-coupling (PCC) voltage amplitude is defined. Then, the TSMC scheme is adopted to reach the new droop control relation, where the active power sharing and voltage amplitude recovery can be achieved simultaneously. Owing to the faster dynamic response and strong robustness provided by the TSMC framework, high-precision active power sharing during transient state also can be ensured without the influence of line impedances. The power allocation error can be improved by more than 81.2% and 50% than the conventional and proportional-integral (PI)-based droop control methods, respectively, and the voltage deviation rate can be reduced to 0.16%. Moreover, a small-signal model of the TSMC-based droop-controlled system is established, and the influences of control parameters on the system stability and the dynamic response are also investigated. The effectiveness of the proposed control method is verified by numerical simulations and experimental results. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimal Control of Smart Distributed Power and Energy Systems)

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19 pages, 1063 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Smart Control Strategies for Primary Frequency Regulation through Electric Vehicles: A Battery Degradation Perspective

by Paolo Scarabaggio, Raffaele Carli, Graziana Cavone and Mariagrazia Dotoli

Energies 2020, 13(17), 4586; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13174586 - 03 Sep 2020

Cited by 35 | Viewed by 3125

Abstract

Nowadays, due to the decreasing use of traditional generators in favor of renewable energy sources, power grids are facing a reduction of system inertia and primary frequency regulation capability. Such an issue is exacerbated by the continuously increasing number of electric vehicles (EVs), which results in enforcing novel approaches in the grid operations management. However, from being an issue, the increase of EVs may turn to be a solution to several power system challenges. In this context, a crucial role is played by the so-called vehicle-to-grid (V2G) mode of operation, which has the potential to provide ancillary services to the power grid, such as peak clipping, load shifting, and frequency regulation. More in detail, EVs have recently started to be effectively used for one of the most traditional frequency regulation approaches: the so-called frequency droop control (FDC). This is a primary frequency regulation, currently obtained by adjusting the active power of generators in the main grid. Because to the decommissioning of traditional power plants, EVs are thus recognized as particularly valuable solutions since they can respond to frequency deviation signals by charging or discharging their batteries. Against this background, we address frequency regulation of a power grid model including loads, traditional generators, and several EVs. The latter independently participate in the grid optimization process providing the grid with ancillary services, namely the FDC. We propose two novel control strategies for the optimal control of the batteries of EVs during the frequency regulation service. On the one hand, the control strategies ensure re-balancing the power and stabilizing the frequency of the main grid. On the other hand, the approaches are able to satisfy different types of needs of EVs during the charging process. Differently from the related literature, where the EVs perspective is generally oriented to achieve the optimal charge level, the proposed approaches aim at minimizing the degradation of battery devices. Finally, the proposed strategies are compared with other state-of-the-art V2G control approaches. The results of numerical experiments using a realistic power grid model show the effectiveness of the proposed strategies under the actual operating conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimal Control of Smart Distributed Power and Energy Systems)

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27 pages, 3090 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Model Predictive Control Strategy for Distribution Grids: Voltage and Frequency Regulation for Islanded Mode Operation

by Giulio Ferro, Michela Robba and Roberto Sacile

Energies 2020, 13(10), 2637; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13102637 - 21 May 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1932

Abstract

In the last few years, one of the most important challenges of power technologies has been the integration of traditional energy production systems and distributed energy resources. Large-scale photovoltaic systems and wind farms may decrease the quality of the electrical grid service, mainly due to voltage and frequency peaks and fluctuations. Besides, new functionalities, such as the operation in islanded mode of some portions of the medium-voltage grid, are more and more required. In this respect, a model predictive control for voltage and frequency regulation in interconnected local distribution systems is presented. In the proposed model, each local system represents a collection of intelligent buildings and microgrids with a large capacity in active and reactive power regulation. The related model formalization includes a linear approximation of the power flow equations, based on stochastic variables related to the electrical load and to the production from renewable sources. A model predictive control problem is formalized, and a closed-loop linear control law has been obtained. In the results section, the proposed approach has been tested on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers(IEEE) 5 bus system, considering multiple loads and renewable sources variations on each local system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimal Control of Smart Distributed Power and Energy Systems)

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