Enhanced Power System Responsiveness Through Distribute Control of Loads

Responsive load control offers a particularly effective approach to compensating for the variability inherent in large-scale renewable generation. Furthermore, as plug-in electric vehicles grow in popularity, scheduling their charging load will become vitally important to prevent local overloads, and to ensure optimal use of generation resources. Fortunately expansive communications networks and advances in distributed control algorithms facilitate precise, non-disruptive forms of load control. The presentation will discuss various approaches to coordinated control of large numbers of highly distributed and diverse loads. At the local distribution level, we will consider distributed model predictive control (MPC) and consensus algorithms. We will show that game-based strategies provide an effective mechanism for optimally scheduling electric vehicle charging, and that hysteretic controls enable precise tracking of variations in renewable energy production. The technology underpinning ubiquitous load control will be examined, and technical challenges will be considered. A range of applications will be presented.

Ian A. Hiskens is the Vennema Professor of Engineering in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He has held prior appointments in the electricity supply industry (for ten years), and various universities in Australia and the United States. Dr Hiskens' research focuses on power system analysis, in particular the modelling, dynamics and control of large-scale, networked, nonlinear systems. His recent activities include integration of renewable generation and new forms of load. He is actively involved in various IEEE societies, and is the VP for Finance of the IEEE Systems Council. He is a Fellow of the IEEE, a Fellow of Engineers Australia, and a Chartered Professional Engineer in Australia.