University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

A framework for enabling the utilization of flexible loads to provide frequency regulation

Hughes, Justin Todd

Content Files
HUGHES-DISSERTATION-2016.pdf

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/90734

Description

Title
A framework for enabling the utilization of flexible loads to provide frequency regulation
Author(s)
Hughes, Justin Todd
Issue Date
2016-04-07
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Domínguez-García, Alejandro D.
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Domínguez-García, Alejandro D.
Committee Member(s)
  • Overbye, Thomas J.
  • Poolla, Kameshwar
  • Sauer, Peter W.
Department of Study
Electrical & Computer Eng
Discipline
Electrical & Computer Engr
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Date of Ingest
2016-07-07T20:27:04Z
Keyword(s)
  • Power Systems
  • Frequency Regulation
  • Flexible Loads
Abstract
Frequency regulation is becoming increasingly important with deeper penetration of variable generation resources. This dissertation is about exploiting the flexibility of distributed energy resources (DERs) to provide frequency regulation though the framework of an aggregator, which groups DERs into simple, yet accurate, models; offers capability based on these models; and coordinates the DERs to provide the service. Flexible loads have been proposed as a low-cost provider of frequency regulation. For example, the flexibility of loads with inherent thermal energy storage resides in their ability to vary their electricity consumption without compromising their end function. The aggregate flexibility of a collection of diverse residential air-conditioning loads has previously been shown to be well modeled as a virtual battery using first principles load models. In this dissertation, through developing control and parameter identification schemes, we show that the virtual battery can also model more complex loads such as buildings with large, multi-zone air conditioning systems. The small power ratings and capacity constraints of individual flexible loads is an obstacle to their integration. Thus, we additionally propose a framework wherein an aggregator coordinates the response of many flexible loads and other types of distributed energy resources (DERs) (e.g., plug-in electric vehicles and microturbines) connected to electric power distribution networks to provide frequency regulation services. In this framework, the aggregator participates in the day-ahead and real-time ancillary services markets by submitting an offer to provide frequency regulation. If the offer is accepted, the aggregator must coordinate the response of the DERs in order to provide the service. The DERs are compensated through bilateral contracts, the terms of which are negotiated in advance. The DER coordination problem the aggregator is faced with is cast as an optimal control problem, and we propose a bilayer framework to obtain a sub-optimal solution. In the first layer, we utilize model-predictive control techniques driven by regulation signal forecasts and parameter estimates to obtain a reference control action for the DERs. A second control layer provides closed-loop regulation around the reference computed by the top layer, which minimizes the error that arises due to forecast error, plant-model mismatch, and the slower speed of the optimal control.
Graduation Semester
2016-05
Type of Resource
text
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/90734
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2016 Justin T. Hughes

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Graduate Dissertations and Theses at Illinois PRIMARY
Graduate Theses and Dissertations at Illinois