Optimal control in a micro gas grid of prosumers using Model Predictive Control (original) (raw)

Model Predictive Control for Demand‐Driven Biogas Production in Full Scale

Chemical Engineering & Technology, 2016

Biogas plants have the potential to provide demand‐oriented electricity to compensate the occurring divergence between energy demand and supply by uncontrollable sources like wind and solar power. The general flexibility of the biological process is proofed in particular under full‐scale conditions for a biogas production according to the grid demand. A model predictive control was developed to calculate feeding strategies in order to fulfill a demand‐oriented gas utilization timetable. Full‐scale experiments showed a high intraday flexibility in a wide range of the average gas production and high process stability in reaction to pulse feeding. The gas storage demand could be reduced significantly compared to the common constant feeding operation.

Asynchronous Distributed Control of Biogas Supply and Multienergy Demand

IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering, 2017

In this paper we study the coordination between biogas producers who can either use the biogas themselves, exchange biogas with their neighbors, or deliver it to the various energy grids, such as the low pressure gas grid or the power grid. These producers are called prosumers. In this setting gas storage, fuel cells, micro combined heat power systems, and heat buffers are all part of the prosumers' node. We aim to optimize the imbalance, profit, and comfort levels per prosumer, while taking the constraints of the energy grids into account, and while allowing prosumers to exchange energy with each other. This results in a two-layer optimization problem formulation. In addition, in practice, communication between prosumers among each other and with grid operators is done in an asynchronous manner. In this paper we study the problem of two-layer optimization for biogas prosumers embedded in multiple energy grids, while the (bidirectional) communication between the various partners is done asynchronously. We prove the convergence of the asynchronous coordination algorithm that uses both the inputs and the states. We conduct simulations for the biogas prosumer setting, using realistic data to illustrate the convergence of the algorithm and to study its practical implementation. Note to Practitioners-This paper is motivated and supported by a smart gas grid project of the Energy Delta Gas Research (EDGaR) consortium in the Netherlands. The project deals with investigating the capacity of smart grid technologies to facilitate the introduction of new gases into the distribution grids, with diverse gas qualities and multiple injection points. The gas distribution grid will have to move from a passive to an active distribution system that dynamically control bidirectional flows between end-users and the grid operators. As the endusers may be equipped with energy converters, other energy distribution grids also need to transform to active distribution systems. Existing approaches are distributed, where each enduser and energy grid operator can locally solve their optimal control problem. In this paper, we consider the fact that both endusers and grid operators do not have access to a common clock when solving their problem and when sharing their information. The information includes some of their states and controllable inputs. The asynchronous information exchange problem was pointed out by DNV GL Netherlands, Gasunie, and Gasterra which are companies we collaborate with within the EDGaR consortium. It is highly relevant for practical implementation of our distributed algorithms. In future research, we will include practical control considerations due to on-off constraints of

The use of Model Predictive Control (MPC) in the optimal distribution of electrical energy in a microgrid located in southeastern of Spain: A case study simulation

Renewable Energy and Power Quality Journal

The microgrids allow the integration of renewable sources of energy such as solar and wind and distributed energy resources such as combined heat and power, energy storage, and demand response. In addition, the use of local sources of energy to serve local loads helps reduce energy losses in transmission and distribution, further increasing efficiency of the electric delivery system. In this paper, the optimization problem of the energy in a microgrid (MG) located in southeastern of Spain, with Energy Storage System (ESS), which exchanges energy with the utility grid is developed using Model Predictive Control techniques. System modelling use the methodology of the Energy Hubs. The MPC techniques allow maximizing the economic benefit of the microgrid and to minimize the degradation of storage system.

Control of an isolated microgrid using hierarchical economic model predictive control

Applied Energy, 2020

This article experimentally demonstrates a novel, microgrid control algorithm based on a two-layer economic model predictive control framework that was previously developed by the authors. This algorithm is applied to an isolated microgrid with a solar photovoltaic system, a battery bank and a gasoline-fuelled generator. The control system performance is experimentally compared to a baseline algorithm over 5 min and 10 h periods, while an experimentally validated model is used to compare performance over a full year. The results indicate that applying the proposed, two-layer economic model predictive control algorithm can reduce operating costs and CO 2 emissions by 5%-10% relative to conventional, rule based methods, and by 10%-15% if improved solar and demand forecasts are available. Furthermore, the proposed two-level algorithm can achieve reductions of up to 5% compared with current state-of-the-art methods which only attempt to optimize performance in the energy management system.

Model predictive control of fuel cell micro cogeneration systems

2009 International Conference on Networking, Sensing and Control, 2009

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Supervision of Community Based Microgrids: an Economic Model Predictive Control approach

Renewable Energy and Power Quality Journal

In this paper, an Economic Model Predictive Control (EMPC) approach has been presented to manage a Community-based microgrid (C-µGCC) at the pricing level. The main task is at satisfying the demand at prosumer sides and, at the same time, optimizing various µ-Grid contrasting objectives. Emphasis has been given to the operational constraints related to the components lifetime, whose satisfaction would be beneficial for the grid in that the maintenance and replacement costs would be reduced. A simulative analysis has been carried out on the basis of available measured data related to a location in Dublin, Ireland. Results show the effectiveness of implementing the EMPC approach to optimally manage the system.

A Model Predictive Control Approach to Microgrid Operation Optimization

IEEE Transactions on Control Systems Technology, 2014

Microgrids are subsystems of the distribution grid, which comprises generation capacities, storage devices, and controllable loads, operating as a single controllable system either connected or isolated from the utility grid. In this paper, we present a study on applying a model predictive control approach to the problem of efficiently optimizing microgrid operations while satisfying a time-varying request and operation constraints. The overall problem is formulated using mixed-integer linear programming (MILP), which can be solved in an efficient way by using commercial solvers without resorting to complex heuristics or decompositions techniques. Then, the MILP formulation leads to significant improvements in solution quality and computational burden. A case study of a microgrid is employed to assess the performance of the online optimization-based control strategy and the simulation results are discussed. The method is applied to an experimental microgrid located in Athens, Greece. The experimental results show the feasibility and the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

Stochastic model predictive control for economic/environmental operation management of microgrids: An experimental case study

Journal of Process Control, 2016

Microgrids are subsystems of the distribution grid which comprises generation capacities, storage devices and flexible loads, operating as a single controllable system either connected or isolated from the utility grid. In this work, microgrid management system is developed in a stochastic framework. It is seen as a constraint-based system that employs forecasts and stochastic techniques to manage microgrid operations. Uncertainties due to fluctuating demand and generation from renewable energy sources are taken into account and a two-stage stochastic programming approach is applied to efficiently optimize microgrid operations while satisfying a time-varying request and operation constraints. At the first stage, before the realizations of the random variables are known, a decision on the microgrid operations has to be made. At the second stage, after random variables outcomes become known, correction actions must be taken, which have a cost. The proposed approach aims at minimizing the expected cost of correction actions. Mathematically, the stochastic optimization problem is stated as a mixed-integer linear programming problem, which is solved in an efficient way by using commercial solvers. The stochastic problem is incorporated in a model predictive control (MPC) scheme to further compensate the uncertainty through the feedback mechanism. A case study of a microgrid is employed to assess the performance of the on-line optimization-based control strategy and the simulation results are discussed. The method is applied to an experimental microgrid: experimental results show the feasibility and the effectiveness of the proposed approach.