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This article studies the design, modeling, and control of microgrid systems with the inclusion of internal electro-thermal dynamics. Microgrids play a vital role in integrating renewable energy and enabling distributed energy systems. However, their complexity arising from diverse and dynamic components necessitates advanced control strategies. While existing works often utilize model-based controllers, the focus is primarily on electrical dynamics, with limited attention to the thermal behavior of components. The intricate interplay between electrical and thermal power terms heavily impacts component behavior, exemplified by the dependency of photovoltaic (PV) module electricity production on temperature. This article addresses the limited studies on electro-thermal microgrid dynamics through three contributions. First, a candidate microgrid design is developed to utilize electro-thermal knowledge, incorporating active cooling for PVs. Second, a graph-based modeling methodology is expanded to represent microgrid component- and system-level dynamics. Third, a hierarchical control framework is developed to define controllers for microgrids using the graphical model. Controllers produced from the framework enable management of electro-thermal behavior while adhering to battery charge limits. Case studies utilizing realistic environmental data are explored to evaluate the performance of the proposed system. Results indicate design and model-based control that integrate electro-thermal dynamics provide improvements to energy generation and performance even under nonideal conditions. 

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.