Microgrid Cluster Control via Distributed Power Information Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power regulation in microgrid clusters is hindered by reliance on a central controller, leading to low response speeds and significant communication delays due to long distances and multiple communication layers.
Innovation Solution
A microgrid cluster design with distributed energy resources and microgrid controllers that exchange output power information, allowing for decentralized control and reduced communication layers, enabling faster power regulation through active and reactive power adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a central controller is used to regulate power in microgrid clusters, then power regulation control is centralized, but response speed is low and communication delay is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized control function into distributed control units at each microgrid level. Each microgrid controller independently performs power regulation based on local conditions and cluster requirements, eliminating the single-point bottleneck of central control and enabling parallel processing of control decisions across multiple microgrids simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical control structure with two dimensions: local microgrid control dimension and cluster coordination dimension. This allows power regulation to occur at multiple levels simultaneously, reducing communication layers by handling routine regulation locally while maintaining cluster-wide coordination through selective information exchange between controllers.
2Reliability
If a central controller is used to regulate power in microgrid clusters, then control is centralized, but communication layers are numerous and communication delay is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power regulation control function from the central controller and places it at the microgrid controller level. This removes the communication bottleneck by enabling controllers to make regulation decisions based on local measurements and exchanged cluster information, eliminating the need for multiple hierarchical communication layers.
Solution Approach 2:
Each microgrid controller autonomously performs power regulation based on its own operational status and received cluster information. The controllers self-manage their respective microgrids without requiring continuous central controller intervention, reducing communication overhead and delay while maintaining system reliability through distributed decision-making.
3Speed
If output power information is exchanged between microgrid controllers, then communication layers are reduced, but coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where microgrid controllers exchange output power information and adjust their control strategies based on received data. This feedback loop enables automatic coordination without complex centralized management, as each controller uses received information to refine its local regulation decisions, balancing responsiveness with manageable complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
This application provides a microgrid cluster. The microgrid cluster may include a plurality of microgrids. A point of common coupling of any one microgrid is coupled to a tie line. The tie line may be configured to transmit electric energy. The microgrid includes a microgrid controller and a plurality of distributed energy resources. The plurality of distributed energy resources are coupled to the point of common coupling of the microgrid to which the plurality of distributed energy resources belong. The microgrid controller is configured to control output powers of the plurality of distributed energy resources. The microgrid controller is communicatively connected to a microgrid controller or microgrid controllers of one or more other microgrids. The microgrid controller is configured to: send output power information of the microgrid to which the microgrid controller belongs, to the communicatively-connected microgrid controller in response to a cluster island operation mode.