MSc Thesis Proposal
Multi-agent control of power networks
Mentors: Rudy
Negenborn, Bart
De Schutter
Keywords: Multi-agent systems, distributed and large-scale
systems, distributed control, discrete-event and hybrid systems
Description:
Due to the deregulation of the power market and the participation of
more and more components in the power grid (e.g., wind mills, solar
panels, etc.), the power network cannot be controlled from a single,
centralized, point anymore. New control methods are necessary that
consider more localized control, managed by a so-called multi-agent
control structure, in which communication of information and
cooperation are central elements. Currently, methods for multi-agent
control of power networks based on model predictive control are being
developed in our group. These methods are so far being tested on
Matlab simulation studies with small networks. Our methods need to be
further developed and tested on more realistic networks.
The Electrical Power Systems group at the EWI faculty owns one of the
largest power network simulation computers in the world (see Figure
1). This super computer can be used to simulate the complete power
network of The Netherlands in real time. It is therefore ideally
suited to examine state-of-the-art multi-agent control systems in more
detail.
Figure 1: Left: The software running the simulator.
Right: The real-time power network simulator
Having this super computer in Delft provides the unique opportunity to
test developed multi-agent methods in almost real world power network
settings. Interesting practical thesis research can come from the
following directions:
- Investigation of current methods for the control of large-scale
power networks.
- Development of your own method for the control
of these power networks.
- Implementation of existing and/or your own control method on the
real-time simulator.
More theoretical thesis research can come from:
- Modeling of a large power network as a hybrid system, i.e.,
incorporating continuous dynamics (of power flow) and discrete
dynamics (of switches).
- Investigation of current methods for control of small scale hybrid
systems.
- Development of an extension of these methods to large-scale
systems, based on multi-agent concepts.
Of course, these topics can be varied according to your own interests.
If you are interested in selecting this project as your MSc project,
please come along or send us an email for more information.
This page is maintained by
Bart De Schutter.