Collaborative Research: Control of Reconfigurable Microgrids with Significant Renewable Power Sources

该研究项目的目标是开发一个建模和控制框架，以支持电力微电网的可重构拓扑结构，包括分布式电源或负载，如风力涡轮机，微型发电机和插电式电动汽车。该系统确保了稳定和高效的运行。该拓扑结构使用分散式最优控制框架，以最小的微电网组件之间的通信来最大化效率;一种在诸如风力涡轮机的组件打开和关闭时评估微电网的稳定性的方法;以及基于模型的控制框架的可扩展的低阶建模方法。如果成功，这项研究的结果将支持采用可重新配置的微电网，作为在未来能源组合中增加插电式车辆和可再生资源的一种方式。此外，这项研究正在开发分散最优控制，模式切换系统稳定性的基础知识，建模和识别在电网之外有广泛的应用，如自主机器人群和大规模计算机网络。研究成果将通过出版物向科学界广泛传播;通过新课程和课程模块向研究生和本科生传播;通过讲习班，研讨会和短期课程向40多个行业合作伙伴传播;通过夏令营向高中学生和教师传播;通过两个博物馆展览向K-12学生传播。该奖项的活动还将为代表性不足的少数民族提供参与研究生和本科生工程研究的机会。

The objective of this research project is to develop a modeling and control framework to support a reconfigurable topology for electrical power microgrids that includes distributed sources or loads such as wind turbines, micro generators, and plug-in electric vehicles. The system ensures stable and efficient operation. The topology uses a decentralized optimal control framework to maximize efficiency with minimal communication among the microgrid components; a a way to assess stability of the microgrid as components such as wind turbines switch on and off; and a scalable, low-order modeling approach for the model-based control framework.If successful, the results of this research will support the adoption of reconfigurable microgrids as one way to increase plug-in vehicles and renewable resources in the energy portfolio of the future. Also, this research is developing fundamental knowledge on decentralized optimal control, stability in mode-switching systems, and modeling and identification have wide application beyond electrical grids, such as autonomous robotic swarms and large scale computer networks. The research results will be disseminated widely to the scientific community through publications; to graduate and undergraduate students through new courses and course modules; to over 40 industry partners through workshops, seminars, and short courses; to high school students and teachers through summer camps; and to K-12 students through two museum exhibits. The activities of this award will also provide underrepresented minorities with opportunities to participate in engineering research in both graduate and undergraduate level.