Distributed model predictive control of synchronous machines for stabilizing microgrids

In this paper, we revisit the role of excitation control in small microgrids. In normal operation, excitation control is designed to stabilize and regulate voltage and frequency in response to intermittent renewable resources (PVs and loads). Its role remains the same when microgrid gets disconnected and is in islanded/abnormal condition. Today's constant gain exciters need new control logic in order to operate in both normal/abnormal conditions. In this paper, we propose a new model predictive approach to nonlinear excitation control. Provable stabilization and enhanced performance with given operational and physical limits are illustrated on a small microgrid.