Game-Theoretic Distributed Virtual Energy Cloud Topology Control for Mobile Smart Grid

In this paper, the problem of energy distribution using virtual energy-cloud to the plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) is studied as a single leader multiple follower non-cooperative Stackelberg game. In this game, the energy-cloud service provider acts as the leader, and decides the price to be paid by each PHEV according to its usage. On the other hand, the PHEVs act as the followers, and need to decide the amount of energy to be consumed based on their requirements. Using variational inequality, it is shown that the proposed scheme, virtual energy cloud topology control (VELD), has a generalized Nash equilibrium, which is also socially optimal. The proposed scheme, VELD, which enables the energy-cloud service provider and the PHEVs to reach the equilibrium state, is evaluated theoretically as well as through simulations. Using the proposed scheme, VELD, the PHEVs consume up to 47.49-52.96% higher amount of energy, while paying 5.52% less per unit energy, which, in turn, increases the utilization of the generated energy by the micro-grids.