Fully decentralized AC optimal power flow algorithms

Motivated by the increasing complexity in the control of distribution level electric power systems especially in a smart grid environment, we propose fully decentralized algorithms to solve alternating current (AC) optimal power flow (OPF) problems. The key feature of the proposed algorithms is a complete decentralization of computation down to nodal level. In this way, no central or sub-area controller is needed, and the OPF problem is solved by individual nodes, which only have local knowledge of the system. Preliminary results show promising performance of the fully decentralized algorithms.