Bilevel optimization problems can be used to represent the collaborative interaction between a power system and grid-connected entities, called the followers, such as data centers. Most existing approaches assume that such followers' response behaviors are made available to the power system in the operation decision-making, which may be untenable in reality. This work presents a novel idea of solving bilevel optimization problems without assuming power systems' omniscience. The followers' responses will be represented by a function of the power system's decisions using Gaussian Process Regression. Then the two layers in the bilevel problem can be solved separately by the power system and its followers. This not only avoids the omniscience assumption, but also significantly increases the computational efficiency without compromising accuracy, especially for the problems with a complex lower layer. Moreover, a bilevel critical load restoration model is developed to test the proposed technique. Compared to the conventional methods, the proposed restoration model considers the load-side operation and the varying load marginal value, and can accurately estimate load-side loss and achieve better restoration solutions. Two case studies validate the advantages of the proposed approaches from different perspectives.
This paper proposes a new deep learning (DL) based model-free robust method for bulk system on-line load restoration with high penetration of wind power. Inspired by the iterative calculation of the two-stage robust load restoration model, the deep neural network (DNN) and deep convolutional neural network (CNN) are respectively designed to find the worst-case system condition of a load pickup decision and evaluate the corresponding security. In order to find the optimal result within a limited number of checks, a load pickup checklist generation (LPCG) algorithm is developed to ensure the opt…
Extreme weather events have a significant impact on the aging and outdated power distribution infrastructures. These high-impact low-probability (HILP) events often result in extended outages and loss of critical services, thus, severely affecting customers' safety. This calls for the need to ensure resilience in distribution networks by quickly restoring the critical services during a disaster. This paper presents an advanced feeder restoration method to restore critical loads using distributed energy resources (DERs). A resilient restoration approach is proposed that jointly maximizes the am…
Mobile energy storage systems (MESS) offer great operational flexibility to enhance the resiliency of distribution systems in an emergency condition. The optimal placement and sizing of those units are pivotal for quickly restoring the curtailed loads. In this paper, we propose a model for load restoration in a microgrid while concurrently optimizing the MESS routes required for the same. The model is formulated as a mixed integer second order cone program by considering the state of charge and evolution of the lower and upper bounds of battery capacities. Simulation results tested on the IEEE…
Distributed energy storage systems (ESSs) can be efficiently leveraged for load restoration (LR) for a microgrid (MG) in island mode. When the ESSs are owned by third parties rather than the MG operator (MGO), the ESS operating setpoints may be considered as private information of their respective owners. Therefore, efforts must be put forth to avoid the disclosure through adversarial analysis of load setpoints. In his paper, we consider a scenario where LR takes place in a MG by determining load and ESS power injections through the solution of an AC optimal power flow (AC-OPF) problem. Since …
In case of high impact low probability events, in order to restore the critical loads of the distribution network as much as possible, it is necessary to employ all available resources such as microgrids and distributed generations. This paper presents a two-stage method for critical load restoration after an extreme event utilizing the coordination of all available distributed generations, microgrids, and demand response programs. In the first stage, the post-disaster reconfiguration of the network is determined, and in the second stage, the demand response outputs of the responsive loads and…
This paper presents a load switching group based energy management system (LSG-EMS) for operating microgrids on a distribution feeder powered by one or multiple grid-forming distributed energy resources. Loads on a distribution feeder are divided into load switching groups that can be remotely switched on and off. The LSG-EMS algorithm, formulated as a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) problem, has an objective function of maximizing the served loads while minimizing the total number of switching actions. A new set of topology constraints are developed for allowing multiple microgrids to…
Power system restoration is a highly complex task that must be performed in a timely manner following a blackout. It is crucial to have the capability of developing a reliable restoration plan that can be adjusted quickly to different system conditions. This paper introduces a framework of an automated process that creates a restoration plan for a given power system. The required input includes the original system data under normal operating conditions and the status of the resources in the system that can be used for restoration. With a set of criteria to select as an option, the presented pr…
Coordinating multiple local power sources can restore critical loads after the major outages caused by extreme events. A radial topology is needed for distribution system restoration, while determining a good topology in real-time for online use is a challenge. In this paper, a graph theory-based heuristic considering power flow state is proposed to fast determine the radial topology. The loops of distribution network are eliminated by iteration. The proposed method is validated by one snapshot and multi-period critical load restoration models on different cases. The case studies indicate that…
The ever-increasing penetration of Distributed Generators (DGs) in distribution networks suggests to enable their potentials in better fulfilling the restoration objective. The objective of the restoration problem is to resupply the maximum energy of loads considering their priorities using minimum switching operations. Basically, it is desired to provide a unique configuration that is valid regarding the load and generation profiles along the entire restorative period. However, this unique configuration may not satisfy at the same time: I) the DG start-up requirements at the beginning of the …
Interdisciplinary Graduate School, Nanyang Technological University Singapore（南洋理工大学跨学科研究生院（新加坡））；School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University Singapore（南洋理工大学电气与电子工程学院（新加坡））
Mobile energy storage systems (MESSs) provide mobility and flexibility to enhance distribution system resilience. The paper proposes a Markov decision process (MDP) formulation for an integrated service restoration strategy that coordinates the scheduling of MESSs and resource dispatching of microgrids. The uncertainties in load consumption are taken into account. The deep reinforcement learning (DRL) algorithm is utilized to solve the MDP for optimal scheduling. Specifically, the twin delayed deep deterministic policy gradient (TD3) is applied to train the deep Q-network and policy network, t…
Distribution system integrated community microgrids (CMGs) can partake in restoring loads during extended duration outages. At such times, the CMG is challenged with limited resource availability, absence of robust grid support, and heightened demand-supply uncertainty. This paper proposes a secure and adaptive three-stage hierarchical multi-timescale framework for scheduling and real-time (RT) dispatch of CMGs with hybrid PV systems to address these challenges. The framework enables the CMG to dynamically expand its boundary to support the neighboring grid sections and is adaptive to the chan…
The frequency of extreme events (e.g., hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods) and man-made attacks (cyber and physical attacks) has increased dramatically in recent years. These events have severely impacted power systems ranging from long outage times to major equipment (e.g., substations, transmission lines, power plants, and distribution system) destruction. Distribution system failures and outages are major contributors to power supply interruptions. Network reconfiguration and movable energy resources (MERs) can play a vital role in supplying loads during and after contingencies. This paper…
Power system restoration can be divided into three stages: black-start, network reconfiguration, and load restoration. A skeleton-network should be restored in the second stage to prepare for the subsequent large-scale system-wide load pickup. This paper proposes a novel integrated skeleton-network reconfiguration (ISNR) model which considers both the topological characteristics of the network and the transmission path energization constraints. A novel topological characteristics-based skeleton-network quality index (TCSNQI), an index based on the network importance and distance, is proposed t…
Enhancing restoration capabilities of distribution systems is one of the main strategies for resilient power systems to cope with extreme events. However, most of the existing studies assume the communication infrastructures are intact for distribution automation, which is unrealistic. Motivated by the applications of the emergency communication vehicles (ECVs) in quickly setting up wireless communication networks after disasters, in this paper, we propose an integrated distribution system restoration (DSR) framework and optimization models, which can coordinate the repair crews, the distribut…
This paper focuses on the day-ahead forecasting of the aggregate power of a pool of smart buildings equipped with thermostatically-controlled loads. We first propose the modeling of the aggregate behavior of its power trajectory by using a geometric approach. Specifically, we assume that the aggregate power is a homothet of a prototype building, whose physical and technical parameters are chosen to be the mean of those in the pool. This allows us to preserve the building thermal dynamics of the pool. We then apply inverse optimization to estimate the homothetic parameters with bilevel programm…
Improving the reliability of power distribution systems is critically important for both utilities and customers. This calls for an efficient service restoration module within a distribution management system to support the implementation of self-healing smart grid networks. The emerging smart grid technologies, including distributed generators (DGs) and remote-controlled switches, although enhance the self-healing capability and allow faster recovery, pose additional complexity to the service restoration problem, especially under cold load pickup (CLPU) conditions. In this paper, we propose a…
Electric power infrastructure has ignited several of the most destructive wildfires in recent history. Preemptive power shutoffs are an effective tool to mitigate the risk of ignitions from power lines, but at the same time can cause widespread power outages. This work proposes a mathematical optimization problem to help utilities decide where and when to implement these shutoffs, as well as how to most efficiently restore power once the wildfire risk is lower. Specifically, our model co-optimizes the power shutoff (considering both wildfire risk reduction and power outages) as well as the pos…
A voltage regulation method for slow voltage variations at distribution level is proposed, based on a view of the loads, generators and storage along a distribution line as point weights. The "centers of mass" of the absorbed and injected currents (loads & generation, respectively) are compensated by minimizing the distance between them, through proper re-dispatching of the power of the available units and interruptible loads. The technique is recursively applied to lesser parts of the distribution line to address local phenomena and is assumed to be offered as ancillary service to the system …
Hybrid Optimization Method for Reconfiguration of AC/DC Microgrids in All-Electric Ships
Shanghai Jiao Tong University（上海交通大学）；Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Ship and Deep-Sea Exploration（先进船舶与深海探测协同创新中心）；Key Laboratory of System Control and Information Processing, Ministry of Education of China（教育部系统控制与信息处理重点实验室）
