Unified Approach to Convex Robust Distributed Control given Arbitrary Information Structures

We consider the problem of computing optimal linear control policies for linear systems in finite-horizon. The states and the inputs are required to remain inside pre-specified safety sets at all times despite unknown disturbances. In this technical note, we focus on the requirement that the control policy is distributed, in the sense that it can only be based on partial information about the history of the outputs. It is well-known that when a condition denoted as Quadratic Invariance (QI) holds, the optimal distributed control policy can be computed in a tractable way. Our goal is to unify and generalize the class of information structures over which quadratic invariance is equivalent to a test over finitely many binary matrices. The test we propose certifies convexity of the output-feedback distributed control problem in finite-horizon given any arbitrarily defined information structure, including the case of time varying communication networks and forgetting mechanisms. Furthermore, the framework we consider allows for including polytopic constraints on the states and the inputs in a natural way, without affecting convexity

Cooperation of Wide Area Control with Renewable Energy Sources for Robust Power Oscillation Damping

In this paper, a Wide Area Control (WAC) scheme cooperates with Renewable Energy Sources (RESs) to achieve a robust power oscillation damping. The WAC signals are synthesized by a two-level hierarchical controller which utilizes global measurements from all the installed synchronous generators to maximize the performance of the generators’ local controllers. In the proposed WAC scheme, the dynamic operation of RES is also taken into consideration for the implementation of WAC signals, in order to make the generators “aware” of the RES oscillations. Further, the local controller of the RES is modified in order to utilize the available reactive power for compensating any local voltage oscillations, leading that way to a controller which does not require any WAC signals. The performance of the proposed scheme has been tested and validated in the IEEE 9-bus test system where it is indicated that the proposed scheme improves the power system’s dynamic stability

Multi-objective predictive control optimization with varying term objectives : a wind farm case study

This paper introduces the incentive of an optimization strategy taking into account short-term and long-term cost objectives. The rationale underlying the methodology presented in this work is that the choice of the cost objectives and their time based interval affect the overall efficiency/cost balance of wide area control systems in general. The problem of cost effective optimization of system output is taken into account in a multi-objective predictive control formulation and applied on a windmill park case study. A strategy is proposed to enable selection of optimality criteria as a function of context conditions of system operating conditions. Long-term economic objectives are included and realistic simulations of a windmill park are performed. The results indicate the global optimal criterium is no longer feasible when long-term economic objectives are introduced. Instead, local sub-optimal solutions are likely to enable long-term energy efficiency in terms of balanced production of energy and costs for distribution and maintenance of a windmill park

Stability Analysis of Networked Control in Smart Grids

A suitable networked control scheme and its stability analysis framework have been developed for controlling inherent electromechanical oscillatory dynamics observed in power systems. It is assumed that the feedback signals are obtained at locations away from the controller/actuator and transmitted over a communication network with the help of phasor measurement units (PMUs). Within the generic framework of networked control system (NCS), the evolution of power system dynamics and associated control actions through a communication network have been modeled as a hybrid system. The data delivery rate has been modeled as a stochastic process. The closed-loop stability analysis framework has considered the limiting probability of data dropout in computing the stability margin. The contribution is in quantifying allowable data-dropout limit for a specified closed loop performance. The research findings are useful in specifying the requirement of communication infrastructure and protocol for operating future smart grids

Control techniques for power system stabilisation

The conventional PSS was first proposed earlier based on a linear model of the power system to damp the low frequency oscillations in the system. But they are designed to be operated under fixed parameters derived from the system linearized model. Due to large interconnection of power system to meet the load demand brings in deviations of steady-state and non-linearity to power system. The main problem is that PSS includes the locally measured quantities only neglecting the effect of nearby generators. This is the reason for the advent of Wide area monitoring for strong coupling between the local modes and the inter-area modes which would make the tuning of local PSSs for damping all modes nearly impossible when there is no supervisory level controller. Wide area control addresses these problems by proposing smart topology changes and control actions. Dynamic islanding and fast load shedding are schemes available to maintain as much as possible healthy transmission system. It is found that if remote signals from one or more distant locations of the power system can be applied to local controller design, system dynamic performance can be enhanced. In order to attain these goals, it is desirable to systematically build a robust wide area controller model within an autonomous system framework

Recent Advances on State Estimation for Power Grids with Unconventional Measurements

State estimation problem for power systems has long been a fundamental issue that demands a variety of methodologies depending on the system settings. With the recent introduction of advanced devices of phasor measurement units (PMUs) and dedicated communication networks, the infrastructure of power grids has been greatly improved. Coupled with the infrastructure improvements are three emerging issues for the state estimation problems, namely, the coexistence of both traditional and PMU measurements, the incomplete information resulting from delayed, asynchronous and missing measurements due to communication constraints, and the cyber-attacks on the communication channels. In this study, the authors aim to survey some recent advances on the state estimation methods which tackle the above three issues in power grids. Traditional state estimation methods applied in power grids are first introduced. Latest results on state estimation with mixed measurements and incomplete measurements are then discussed in great detail. In addition, the techniques developed to ensure the cyber-security of the state estimation schemes for power grids are highlighted. Finally, some concluding remarks are given and some possible future research directions are pointed out