Multi-agent coordination for DER in microgrid

Abstract

Multi-agent system (MAS) is one of the most exciting and the fastest growing domains in agent oriented technology which deals with modeling of autonomous decision making entities. This paper presents an application of MAS for distributed energy resource (DER) management in a MicroGrid. MicroGrid can be defined as low voltage distributed power networks comprising various distributed generators (DG), storage and controllable loads, which can be operated as interconnected or as islands from the main power grid. By representing each element in MicroGrid as an autonomous intelligent agent, multi agent modeling of a MicroGrid is designed and implemented. JADE framework is proposed for the modeling and reliability of the MicroGrid is confirmed with PowerWorld Simulator. Further, the FIPA contract net coordination between the agents is demonstrated through software simulation. As a result, this paper provides a MicroGrid modeling which has the necessary communication and coordination structure to create a scalable system. The optimized MicroGrid management and operations can be developed on it in future. © 2008 IEEE.