A Multi-Agent Control System of Distributed Generation Plants

The electric power industry is currently in transition to a new technological platform, which is based on the smart grid concept. Important components of this grid include distributed generation plants as well as those based on renewable energy sources. The centralized system of control of numerous distributed generation plants becomes inefficient due to the need for transferring large amounts of data to the control center. The control efficiency can be enhanced by use of peripheral systems based on the agent approach. The paper suggests the design, description and Joiner-network of an event model of the multi-agent control system of distributed generation plants based on turbine-generators. The main functions of the agents of the interactive network are presented. A system of differential equations defining processes within the power supply system including distributed generation plants is considered. The model of the proposed multi-agent control system is developed in the AnyLogic simulation environment. Modeling results showed positive effects gained with the multi-agent control system. The adaptability of the system to changing conditions and applicability of the multi-agent technologies when establishing active-adaptive networks of intelligent power supply systems are demonstrated.