Distributed predictive control for power balancing in electric distribution networks

One of the efficient control method is the model predictive control (MPC) that calculates appropriate inputs corresponding to desired output by an optimization method and predicting future output based on related model. Then the first step of calculated input is applied to system. An important application of this control method is for controlling load-frequency and power balancing in power grids. It preserves transition power and network frequency as one of important parameters of power quality within admissible range by controlling generation. Considering the complicity of calculations in centralized architecture in large scale systems, in this paper a cooperative distributed predictive control is used that makes the calculations faster and easier and also offers good performance. However in the not too distant future, with development of smart grids, Exploitation of distributed generation in demand side and electric distribution network will be usual and it will be necessary to replace traditional control methods by smart and advanced methods. In this regard, results of the discussed control method are compared with those of the classical control of load-frequency and its proper performance is shown against load variation disturbance, with considering a power grid with 4 control zones that each zone has local generation and load.