Distributed model predictive control of thermostatically controlled appliances for providing balancing service

A distributed model predictive controller (MPC) shows its higher efficacy than a centralized MPC scheme, especially when the number of controlled agents increases. In the smart grid, to realize load regulation using the demand side management idea, we present a distributed MPC scheme for controlling the aggregated power output of thermostatically controller appliances (TCAs) to provide this service. Minimum ON/OFF time constraints, which are converted from logic conditions into inequalities, are modelled inherently in the optimization problem. A simulation using realistic data reveals the feasibility and efficacy of the proposed distributed MPC scheme.