Dual Layered Architecture for Multi Agent Based Islanding and Load Management for Microgrids

Abstract

This paper proposes a novel dual layered multi agent system (MAS) based control system for the use in microgrid operations. In developing a smarter grid capable of withstanding disturbances and/or outages and providing quality service to the consumers, reliable microgrid control architecture is vital. The innovative microgrid control system proposed, makes the microgrid capable of isolating the local grid from effects of any upstream disturbances in the main utility grid by operating disconnected from the main utility via islanding, and it allows the most critical local loads to be supplied by any, available, local power source during such islanded operation. The proposed MAS control architecture is developed using the JADE platform and it is used to control a test network simulated in MATLAB. The results of these simulations show the capability of developing MAS based reliable control mechanism for islanding and load management of microgrids based on the proposed concept.