Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh, including Stephen Ampleman, Himanshu Sharma, Sayak Mukherjee, and Sonja Glavaski, have developed a new modeling and control framework for hybrid power plants (HPPs). Their work, published in the IEEE Transactions on Control Systems Technology, aims to improve the integration and management of diverse energy sources within HPPs.
Hybrid power plants combine multiple power generators, such as wind farms and solar plants, with energy storage capabilities to support grid demands and address generation inadequacies. The researchers adapted established modeling paradigms for wind farms, solar plants, and battery storage into a control affine form, which is suitable for control design at the supervisory level. This approach allows for a more unified and efficient management of the various components within an HPP.
For wind and battery models, the team developed generator torque and cell current control laws using nonlinear control and control barrier function techniques. These control laws enable the HPP to track commands from a supervisory control law while maintaining safe and stable operation. The researchers demonstrated the utility of their modeling and control framework through a test case that used a utility demand signal for tracking, time-varying wind and irradiance data, and a rule-based supervisory control law.
The practical applications of this research for the energy sector are significant. By improving the integration and management of diverse energy sources within HPPs, this framework can enhance the overall efficiency, reliability, and stability of the power grid. It can also facilitate the wider adoption of renewable energy sources by addressing some of the challenges associated with their variability and intermittency. The control affine modeling approach developed by the researchers provides a robust and scalable solution for managing the complex dynamics of HPPs, making it a valuable tool for energy system operators and planners.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.