The decentralization of the electrical system requires the development of new control algorithms that allow for compensation, even locally, for the intermittent and non-deterministic nature of energy produced by non-dispatchable renewable energy sources and consumed by some new electrical loads, such as electric vehicles and heat pumps.
In this context, previous work has developed two different control structures for the coordination and management of a hybrid AC/DC distribution network divided into cells. The designed control structure is decentralized and consists of a Model Predictive Control (MPC) at the cell level, which efficiently and quickly compensates for power imbalances caused by loads and generators. Each cell’s MPC communicates with a supervisor, either centralized or distributed, which coordinates power flows in the DC network, supporting cells through adjacent ones.
The work described in this report aimed to experimentally validate the developed control structures using RSE’s Distributed Energy Resources Test Facility. The activity was conducted by dividing the experimental plant into two AC cells, each equipped with generation systems, loads, storage, and interconnected via a DC link.
The tests demonstrated the effectiveness of the developed control system in compensating for generation and load disturbances. Moreover, the control proved to be robust, capable of compensating for setpoint tracking errors by controllable resources (generators and storage systems). Finally, the tests highlighted that the control offers high flexibility due to the ability to manage resources differently based on the weights assigned to cost functions. It is possible to modify the contribution of storage systems and DC interface contributions by adjusting the cost function of the MPCs. This allows for network management changes without altering the system’s control.
The developed controls could be employed not only in electrical networks but also in multi-energy systems. The cell-based control system, which exchanges resources, could be a useful solution for managing interactions between different energy vectors—namely, the electrical, thermal, gas, and transport sectors—to improve efficiency and maximize flexibility in support of the national energy system.