Distributed Microgrid Control for Power Sharing and Unbalance Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control strategies for low voltage microgrids with distributed communication face challenges such as high implementation complexity, dependence on centralized communication, lack of active and reactive power flow control, and current unbalance at the point of common coupling, which affect scalability, reliability, and flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A control process combining Power-Based Control (PBC) and Consensus Protocol (CP) techniques, allowing for precise sharing of active and reactive power, controlling power flow, and compensating current unbalance without requiring detailed grid parameters or additional techniques, using a simple algebraic formulation and distributed communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If centralized communication is used for control, then power sharing and control functions can be achieved, but system scalability and reliability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The centralized control architecture is segmented into distributed control units at each generator node. Each node independently executes control algorithms using local measurements and peer-to-peer communication, eliminating the single point of failure inherent in centralized systems and improving overall system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control system transitions from a static centralized architecture to a dynamic distributed architecture where control functions can adaptively relocate based on system conditions. The distributed nature allows the system to dynamically reconfigure communication paths and control responsibilities, enhancing scalability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If Power-Based Control (PBC) is implemented, then power sharing is achieved, but dependence on centralized communication remains

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower sharing efficiencyVSAvoidcommunication architecture flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

A consensus protocol acts as an intermediary mechanism between the PBC power sharing objective and the distributed communication architecture. The consensus algorithm enables nodes to agree on power sharing ratios through iterative local communication, eliminating dependence on centralized communication while maintaining power sharing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If Consensus Protocol (CP) is used, then distributed communication is achieved, but active and reactive power flow control is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication architecture flexibilityVSAvoidpower flow control capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the Consensus Protocol for distributed communication with Power-Based Control for power management into a unified distributed control framework. This combination enables the system to simultaneously achieve distributed communication flexibility and precise active/reactive power flow control through integrated control algorithms that coordinate both functions at each node.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Device complexity

If simple algebraic formulation is used, then implementation complexity is reduced, but control precision may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol algorithm complexityVSAvoidpower sharing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The simple algebraic formulation incorporates feedback mechanisms where each node continuously adjusts its power output based on local measurements of voltage, frequency, and power flow. This feedback enables the straightforward algebraic equations to achieve precise power sharing by iteratively converging to the optimal operating point without requiring complex control algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12512697B2Control process for low voltage microgrids with distributed communication

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 PETROLEO BRASILEIRO SA PETROBRAS

AI summary

This technology refers to a control process for low voltage microgrids with distributed communication, the process is based on two techniques: “Power-Based Control” (PBC) and “consensus protocol” (CP). The proposed technology resorts to PBC and CP techniques to take advantage of the combination of their technical features, achieving low implementation complexity and concomitantly providing the following technical effects: 1) precise sharing of active power and reactive power proportionally to the capacity of distributed generators (GDs) at the MR; 2) control of the flow of active power and reactive power between the different phases of the MRs; 3) Current unbalance compensation at the point of common coupling (PAC); in addition to other advantages. The technology is applied in the technical field of equipment and infrastructure for microgrids (MRs) of distributed generators (GDs).