Distributed Optimization in Residential Power Grids for Real-Time Energy Management Using Blockchain Based Smart Contracts

本研究计划（RP）的目的是分布式优化和管理的电网。RP的目标是设计和分析用于处理数据的分布式算法。它的根源在于，通过将决策机制拆分、分散和定位在更靠近负载和消费者的位置，可以实现更快的响应时间、更好的利用和对分布式能源（DER）的控制。这反过来又可以通过利用区块链等分布式账本来提高收集、传输和存储信息的安全性。区块链技术的引入允许使用智能合约进行实时和动态定价。该技术在以下方面很有前途：A）建立分布式能源（DER）对价格信号的实时响应，B）通过定位分布式能源和/或负载影响系统的位置来提高可靠性，C）产生透明和不可破坏的分类帐，以及D）为利益相关者提供更多的客户选择和更低的成本。它还可以促进新的商业模式，如虚拟净计量。传统方法有时会在实践中失败，因为它们没有考虑到可再生能源发电，微电网和负载变化的不确定性。建筑物管理系统（BMS）技术的进步使得在每个家庭的BMS核心内驻留所提出的机制成为可能，并且使得消费者能够以自动化的方式从更有效的需求侧管理（DSM）程序实施中受益。该RP旨在通过智能微电网网络检测，分析和传输信息。该RP的结果允许系统随着输入（发电）和输出（负载）的变化而智能地和动态地改变、重新配置和增强自身。* 此RP成功完成后，将对能源市场产生重大影响，因为公用事业提供商和消费者都将受益于均衡的消费、绿色能源的有效利用、实时定价和增强的安全性。由于该系统将被放置在楼宇的BMS核心中，因此楼宇自动化和绿色能源领域的公司和企业将从由此产生的市场增长中受益匪浅。本RP的利益相关者为：A）私人或公共事业公司、电力生产商或供应商，B）独立系统运营商，C）监管机构，D）独立项目开发商，E）技术和能源管理系统供应商，F）商业或住宅消费者（纳税人），最后，G）产消者。两（2）博士，四（4）硕士和十（10）名本科生将在一个性别中立的团队中接受培训，该团队具有领先技术的不同种族，以帮助满足对该领域专业知识日益增长的需求。这项研究的及时性得到了区块链技术领域多个行业最近大量招聘职位的证明。

This research program (RP) is aiming at distributed optimization and management of electric grid. The goal of RP is to design and analyze distributed algorithms for processing data. It has its roots in the fact that by splitting, dispersing and locating decision-making mechanisms closer to the loads and consumers, it is possible to achieve faster response time, better utilization and control over Distributed Energy Resources (DERs). This, in turn can increase security of the collected, transmitted and stored information through utilization of distributed ledgers such as Blockchain.******Incorporation of Blockchain technology allows for real-time and dynamic pricing using smart contracts. This technology is promising in: A) Establishing a real-time response of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) to price signals, B) Increasing reliability by locating where distributed energy resources and/or loads are affecting the system, C) Producing transparent and incorruptible ledger, and D) Giving greater customer choices and lower costs to stakeholders. It also could facilitate new business models such as virtual net metering.******Traditional methods sometime fail in practice because they are not designed to take into account the uncertain nature of renewable energy generation, microgrid and load changes. Advancements in Building Management Systems (BMS) technologies make it possible to reside the proposed mechanisms within the BMS core in every household and enable consumers to benefit from a more efficient Demand Side Management (DSM) program implementation in an automated manner. This RP intends to detect, analyze, and transfer information over smart microgrid networks. The outcome of this RP allows the systems to intelligently and dynamically alter, reconfigure and enhance themselves as the input (generation) and outputs (loads) change. ******This RP, upon successful completion, will significantly affect energy market as both utility providers and consumers will benefit from a balanced consumption, efficient utilization of green sources of energy, real-time pricing and enhanced security. As the system will be placed within the BMS core of buildings, companies and businesses in the area of Building Automation and green energies will significantly benefit from the resulted market growth. Stakeholders of this RP are: A) private or publicly owned utilities, power producers, or suppliers, B) independent system operators, C) regulatory authorities, D) independent project developers, E) technology and energy management system vendors, F) commercial or residential consumers (ratepayers), and finally, G) prosumers.******Two (2) PhD, four (4) MASc and ten (10) undergraduate students will be trained in a gender neutral team with diverse ethnicity in leading-edge technology to help meet the growing demand for expertise in this area. The timeliness of this research is evidenced by recent massive job postings by multiple industries in the area of Blockchain technology.