Multi-Microgrid Distributed Control via Pinning Consensus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-microgrid control systems face challenges in maintaining stability and power distribution due to frequency and voltage errors, particularly when disturbances occur, and require complex communication topologies and central controllers, which are prone to failure.
Innovation Solution
A distributed control method for multi-microgrids incorporating both PQ control and droop control, utilizing a multi-agent system where part of the agents are pinned and controlled, allowing other agents to be tracked and synchronized through communication coupling, reducing the number of controllers needed and eliminating the requirement for a central controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional droop control is used in multi-microgrids, then power distribution is achieved, but frequency and voltage errors occur when disturbances happen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a secondary control layer that uses feedback mechanisms to detect and correct frequency and voltage deviations caused by primary droop control. The control system continuously monitors system state and adjusts distributed power supply outputs to eliminate errors, thereby maintaining both power distribution capability and frequency/voltage accuracy under disturbance conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts control parameters including droop coefficients and compensation factors based on real-time system conditions. By changing these parameters adaptively, the system optimizes the balance between power distribution and frequency/voltage regulation, eliminating errors while maintaining stability during disturbances.
2Ease of operation
If a central controller is used to handle data in centralized control, then control decisions can be made, but the controller is prone to breakdown and system reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized control function into multiple distributed control units, each responsible for local microgrids. This segmentation eliminates the single point of failure in centralized controllers while maintaining coordinated control capabilities through inter-unit communication and consensus algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
Each distributed control unit autonomously makes control decisions based on local measurements and peer-to-peer communication with other units. The system enables self-service control where individual units independently regulate their respective microgrids without relying on a central controller, thereby improving overall system reliability.
3Reliability
If distributed control is implemented across all nodes, then system reliability improves, but the number of controllers increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements pinning control where only a subset of distributed power supplies (pinning nodes) are equipped with full control functionality, while other nodes operate in simplified tracking mode. This partial action approach achieves distributed control benefits with reduced controller quantity, balancing reliability improvement against system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pinning nodes act as intermediaries between the control system and non-pinning nodes. These intermediary controllers coordinate power distribution and regulate frequency/voltage by communicating with and guiding non-pinning nodes, thereby reducing the total number of full-function controllers needed while maintaining system-wide control.
4Device complexity
If pinning control is applied to reduce controller quantity, then device complexity decreases, but coordination among distributed power supplies becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical coordination mechanisms with communication-based information exchange between pinning and non-pinning nodes. Through digital communication and consensus algorithms, nodes coordinate their actions without physical coupling, maintaining adaptability and coordination capability while reducing controller quantity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pinning nodes are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as regular distributed power supplies and as coordination centers for non-pinning nodes. This universal design enables effective coordination with fewer controllers, as pinning nodes simultaneously perform local power regulation and global coordination functions.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention discloses a general distributed control method for multi-microgrids with both PQ controlled and droop controlled distributed generators, which comprises the following steps of: step 10) conducting primary control to maintain the power balance of the multi-microgrids; step 20) determining predefined group consensus values of pinned agents; step 30) seeking group consensus among other agents and the pinned agents through communication coupling; and step 40) adjusting output powers to complete secondary control. Based on pinning control, the control method which adopts hierarchical control is a distributed control method for distributed power supply clusters with two control modes comprising PQ control and droop control. The method obviates the requirements for a central controller and complex communication topologies, reduces the number of the controllers, can be adapted to the communication topology changes in the multi-microgrids, and meets the plug-and-play requirement for the distributed power supply.