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Enhancing grid resilience is proposed through the integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) with microgrids. Due to the diverse nature of DERs, there is a need to explore the optimal combined operation of these energy sources within the framework of microgrids. As such, this paper presents the design, implementation and validation of a Model Predictive Control (MPC)-based secondary control scheme to tackle two challenges: optimal islanded operation, and optimal re-synchronization of a microgrid. The MPC optimization algorithm dynamically adjusts input signals, termed manipulated variables, for each DER within the microgrid, including a gas turbine, an aggregate photovoltaic (PV) unit, and an electrical battery energy storage (BESS) unit. To attain optimal islanded operation, the secondary-level controller based on Model Predictive Control (MPC) was configured to uphold microgrid functionality promptly following the islanding event. Subsequently, it assumed the task of power balancing within the microgrid and ensuring the reliability of the overall system. For optimal re-synchronization, the MPC-based controller was set to adjust the manipulated variables to synchronize voltage and angle with the point of common coupling of the system. All stages within the microgrid operation were optimally achieved through one MPC-driven control system, where the controller can effectively guide the system to different goals by updating the MPC’s target reference. More importantly, the results show that the MPC-based control scheme is capable of controlling different DERs simultaneously, mitigating potentially harmful transient rotor torques from the re-synchronization as well as maintaining the microgrid within system performance requirements.
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A Study on Control Co-Design for Optimizing Microgrid Sustainability
This paper studies the optimization of microgrid plant and controller features to reduce environmental impacts. The configuration and control of grid technology is critical for storing and supplying energy. While these systems are traditionally designed for maximizing efficiency and frequency regulation, there is a shift towards minimizing grid environmental footprints. This work presents a framework to enable sustainability-centric microgrid design, with two main features. The first is the inclusion of control co-design (CCD), which expands the design space and potential capabilities of the microgrid. The second is the introduction of sustainability-centric objective functions, categorized into environmental impact from microgrid component manufacturing, operation, and disposal. After introducing the candidate microgrid’s model, controller, and CCD framework, the system is optimized to support a data center during a blackout. The relationship between the sustainability objective functions and the plant and controller design variables are explored. Pareto fronts are identified and studied, providing a comparison of the influence of each sustainability category on environmental impact.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2324707
- PAR ID:
- 10637171
- Publisher / Repository:
- Elsevier
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- IFAC-PapersOnLine
- Volume:
- 58
- Issue:
- 28
- ISSN:
- 2405-8963
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 636 to 641
- Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
- Microgrid Control Co-Design Sustainability Data Center
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifacol.2025.01.037
