Control-based Economic Dispatch Augmented by AGC for Operating Renewable-rich Power Grids

Abstract

This work proposes a new control approach that is suitable for real-time operation of electric grids. This approach is based on turning the problem of optimally dispatching generating units from an optimization problem, triggered at distinct time instants, into a continuously-adapting feedback control problem that regulates the generators’ set points in real-time. However, given that this feedback control loop is not fast enough to maintain frequency variations within a satisfactorily tight range, the conventional automatic generation control (AGC) loop is still in action to ensure fast frequency regulation response. Hence, this work aims to provide a novel integrated approach that combines AGC and control-based ED into one framework. This framework will be able to achieve efficient system frequency control while continuously operating the system in an optimal manner. Simulation results validate the effectiveness of the proposed integrated ED-AGC framework in regulating frequency while optimally operating the system in real-time.