Smart Microgrids: Overview and Outlook

The idea of changing our energy system from a hierarchical design into a set of nearly independent microgrids becomes feasible with the availability of small renewable energy generators. The smart microgrid concept comes with several challenges in research and engineering targeting load balancing, pricing, consumer integration and home automation. In this paper we first provide an overview on these challenges and present approaches that target the problems identified. While there exist promising algorithms for the particular field, we see a missing integration which specifically targets smart microgrids. Therefore, we propose an architecture that integrates the presented approaches and defines interfaces between the identified components such as generators, storage, smart and \dq{dumb} devices.Comment: presented at the GI Informatik 2012, Braunschweig Germany, Smart Grid Worksho

Wide-Area Time-Synchronized Closed-Loop Control of Power Systems And Decentralized Active Distribution Networks

The rapidly expanding power system grid infrastructure and the need to reduce the occurrence of major blackouts and prevention or hardening of systems against cyber-attacks, have led to increased interest in the improved resilience of the electrical grid. Distributed and decentralized control have been widely applied to computer science research. However, for power system applications, the real-time application of decentralized and distributed control algorithms introduce several challenges. In this dissertation, new algorithms and methods for decentralized control, protection and energy management of Wide Area Monitoring, Protection and Control (WAMPAC) and the Active Distribution Network (ADN) are developed to improve the resiliency of the power system. To evaluate the findings of this dissertation, a laboratory-scale integrated Wide WAMPAC and ADN control platform was designed and implemented. The developed platform consists of phasor measurement units (PMU), intelligent electronic devices (IED) and programmable logic controllers (PLC). On top of the designed hardware control platform, a multi-agent cyber-physical interoperability viii framework was developed for real-time verification of the developed decentralized and distributed algorithms using local wireless and Internet-based cloud communication. A novel real-time multiagent system interoperability testbed was developed to enable utility independent private microgrids standardized interoperability framework and define behavioral models for expandability and plug-and-play operation. The state-of-theart power system multiagent framework is improved by providing specific attributes and a deliberative behavior modeling capability. The proposed multi-agent framework is validated in a laboratory based testbed involving developed intelligent electronic device prototypes and actual microgrid setups. Experimental results are demonstrated for both decentralized and distributed control approaches. A new adaptive real-time protection and remedial action scheme (RAS) method using agent-based distributed communication was developed for autonomous hybrid AC/DC microgrids to increase resiliency and continuous operability after fault conditions. Unlike the conventional consecutive time delay-based overcurrent protection schemes, the developed technique defines a selectivity mechanism considering the RAS of the microgrid after fault instant based on feeder characteristics and the location of the IEDs. The experimental results showed a significant improvement in terms of resiliency of microgrids through protection using agent-based distributed communication

Transforming Energy Networks via Peer to Peer Energy Trading: Potential of Game Theoretic Approaches

Peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading has emerged as a next-generation energy management mechanism for the smart grid that enables each prosumer of the network to participate in energy trading with one another and the grid. This poses a significant challenge in terms of modeling the decision-making process of each participant with conflicting interest and motivating prosumers to participate in energy trading and to cooperate, if necessary, for achieving different energy management goals. Therefore, such decision-making process needs to be built on solid mathematical and signal processing tools that can ensure an efficient operation of the smart grid. This paper provides an overview of the use of game theoretic approaches for P2P energy trading as a feasible and effective means of energy management. As such, we discuss various games and auction theoretic approaches by following a systematic classification to provide information on the importance of game theory for smart energy research. Then, the paper focuses on the P2P energy trading describing its key features and giving an introduction to an existing P2P testbed. Further, the paper zooms into the detail of some specific game and auction theoretic models that have recently been used in P2P energy trading and discusses some important finding of these schemes.Comment: 38 pages, single column, double spac

Incorporating Price Information in Blockchain-based Energy Trading

Blockchain-based peer-to-peer (P2P) ecosystem is well suited for distributed energy trading as it is inherently decentralised. In a distributed energy trading, an auctioneer passes unspent reservations to the next auctioneer, as dictated by the passing mechanism. However, traditional P2P energy trading systems used passing mechanisms that only partially consider the auction capability of the next auctioneer. We propose iPass, which incorporates price information when passing unspent auction reservations in P2P energy trading environment. The three performance metrics applied to measure the trading efficiency are (a) auction convergence time, (b) the number of auction settlements, and (c) the economic surplus of buyers and sellers. We simulated the proposed mechanism in Hyperledger Fabric, a permissioned blockchain framework. Hyperledger Fabric manages the data storage and smart contracts. Experiments show iPass is more efficient compared to existing passing mechanisms

Single-unit and multi-unit auction framework for peer-to-peer transactions

Peer-to-peer transactions appear in smart grids as a way to enable the direct transaction of energy among end-users (i.e., consumers, producers, and prosumers). This concept promotes the efficient use of local renewable energy sources among neighbours. Several studies proposed the application of peer-to-peer models for energy communities, microgrids, and aggregators to decrease energy costs for end-users and to promote the balance between consumption and generation. In this paper, it is proposed a framework to test, and validate, using a real environment, single- and multi-unit peer-to-peer auctions. It is also proposed six lightweight fully distributed peer-to-peer auction models, avoiding the need for a central operator. The lightweight of the proposed models enables their execution in the fog-computing layer using single-board computers deployed in end-users. The proposed framework, together with the proposed day-ahead models, was tested and validated in a real microgrid with five prosumers. The results of two weeks are discussed using a comparative economic analysis. The proposed framework and models were able to reduce energy costs for the end-users, promoting competitive free market behaviours, with multi-unit models outperforming single-unit models in the overall trading efficiency and monetary profits.This work has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under project DOMINOES (grant agreement No 771066) and from FEDER Funds through COMPETE program and from National Funds through FCT under the project UIDB/00760/2020.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Revolutionizing Green Transport: An Extensive Review of Hybrid Electric Vehicle Charging Stations and Electric Microgrid Integration

Electric vehicles (EVs), recognized as a strategic approach to reducing oil consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, rely on electricity instead of traditional fuels like petrol or diesel for battery charging, positioning them as a significant player in future energy landscapes. The anticipated decline in oil demand aligns with the increasing prevalence of EVs, making attention to charging infrastructure crucial. This paper extensively explores charging infrastructure considerations, emphasizing their significance in both urban and rural contexts, especially in regions with unstable or absent power supplies. Examining off-grid, grid-connected, and hybrid charging modes, the research delves into various EV designs, including those utilizing fuel cells or batteries. A thorough understanding of energy-source-based charging techniques and diverse power-level charging stations is presented, catering to readers' interests. With a focus on enhancing the longevity and efficiency of electric vehicles, researchers are investigating innovative charging methods, including microgrid concepts within charging stations. Recognizing electric vehicles as multi-energy systems, the paper underscores the importance of effective power management and control for optimal energy utilization. Additionally, the review scrutinizes the impact of electric vehicles on utility grid infrastructure & maintenance, evaluating various power management and control systems. This comprehensive review serves as a valuable resource for electric vehicle operators and research engineers, offering insights into the current state of the field and potential avenues for future exploration