Communication-Failure-Resilient Distributed Frequency Control in Smart Grids: Part II: Algorithmic Implementation and System Simulations

Abstract

This article is the second part of a two-part article on communication-failure-resilient architecture for distributed operation and control in smart grids with hybrid producer/consumer (prosumer) agents. Part I of this article proposed the distributed architecture and algorithmic development, while this Part II provides the corresponding algorithmic implementation, technical requirements, practical applications, and simulations. We propose a general and scalable framework for implementing resilient distributed frequency regulation (DFR) on large-scale prosumer-based power grids, such as utilities, where each prosumer represents a frequency control area. We first develop a method to obtain quasi-steady state models of prosumers from the dynamic models of generators, loads, and power lines. This model allows demonstrating the dynamic evolution of prosumers under normal conditions and during communication failures. Next, we propose a framework to implement the resilient DFR algorithm on prosumer power grids. We show that under normal conditions prosumers need to solely communicate with their neighbors to obtain optimal control actions. But, during communication failures, prosumers need to extend the communication hops to maintain system-wide stability as well as fair power sharing. The resilient DFR algorithm is demonstrated on two real-world, large-scale power grids and the results show that it can indeed complement and enhance today's Automatic Generation Control systems.