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

本课题的研究目标是电网的分布式优化与管理。RP的目标是设计和分析处理数据的分布式算法。它的根源在于，通过拆分、分散和定位决策机制，使其更接近负荷和用户，有可能实现更快的响应时间、更好的利用和对分布式能源资源(DER)的控制。这反过来又可以通过利用区块链等分布式分类账来提高收集、传输和存储的信息的安全性。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。这项技术在以下方面很有前景：A)建立分布式能源资源(DER)对价格信号的实时响应；B)通过定位分布式能源资源和/或负载影响系统的位置来提高可靠性；C)生成透明且廉洁的分类账；以及D)为客户提供更多选择，并为利益相关者提供更低的成本。它还可以促进新的商业模式，如虚拟网络计量。传统方法有时会在实践中失败，因为它们的设计没有考虑到可再生能源发电、微电网和负荷变化的不确定性。楼宇管理系统(BMS)技术的进步使拟议的机制能够驻留在每个家庭的BMS核心中，并使消费者能够以自动化的方式从更高效的需求侧管理(DSM)计划实施中受益。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、动态地改变、重新配置和增强自身。一旦成功完成，这一方案将对能源市场产生重大影响，因为公用事业供应商和消费者都将受益于平衡消费、有效利用绿色能源、实时定价和增强安全性。由于该系统将被置于楼宇管理系统的核心，建筑自动化和绿色能源领域的公司和企业将从由此带来的市场增长中大幅受益。这一RP的利益相关者是：A)私人或公有公用事业、电力生产商、供应商或供应商，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(差饷缴纳人)，以及最后，G)消费者。两(2)名博士、四(4)名硕士和十(10)名本科生将在前沿技术领域的不同种族的性别中立团队中接受培训，以帮助满足该领域对专业知识日益增长的需求。区块链技术领域多个行业最近发布的大量招聘信息证明了这项研究的及时性。

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.