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，该微电网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。系统运行稳定、高效。该拓扑使用分散的最优控制框架，以最小的通信实现微电网组件之间的效率最大化；当风力涡轮机等组件开启和关闭时，评估微电网稳定性的方法；为基于模型的控制框架提供了一种可伸缩的低阶建模方法。如果成功，这项研究的结果将支持采用可重构微电网，作为未来能源组合中增加插电式汽车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的基础知识，模式切换系统的稳定性，以及建模和识别在电网之外的广泛应用，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；为研究生和本科生提供新课程和课程模块；通过工作坊、研讨会和短期课程与40多个行业合作伙伴建立联系；给高中学生和教师通过夏令营；并通过两个博物馆展览向K-12学生展示。该奖项的活动还将为未被充分代表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.