Multi-agent modelling for the simulation of a simple smart microgrid

The smart grid is a highly complex system that is being formed from the traditional power grid, adding new and sophisticated communication and control devices. This will enable integrating new elements for distributed power generation and also achieving an increasingly automated operation so for actions of the utilities as for customers. In order to model such systems a bottom-up method is followed, using only a few basic elements which are structured into two layers: a physical layer for the electrical power transmission, and one logical layer for element communication. A simple case study is presented to analyse the possibilities of simulation. It shows a microgrid model with dynamic load management and an integrated approach that can process both electrical and communication flows.

Emergent synchronisation properties of a refrigerator demand side management system

In order to analyse the possibilities of improving grid stability on island systems by local demand response mechanisms,a multi-agent simulation model is presented. To support the primary reserve, an under-frequency load shedding (UFLS)using refrigerator loads is modelled. The model represents the system at multiple scales, by recreating each refrigerator individually, and coupling the whole population of refrigerators to a model which simulates the frequency response of the energy system, allowing for cross-scale interactions. Using a simple UFLS strategy, emergent phenomena appear in the simulation. Synchronisation e ects among the individual loads were discovered, which can have strong, undesirable impacts on the system such as oscillations of loads and frequency. The phase transition from a stable to an oscillating system is discussed.