Game-Theoretic Cold-Start Transient Optimization in DC Microgrids

An interconnected electrical network that has electrical sources and loads makes a small-scale power system (SSPS). These systems have low inertia, which makes the modeling and controlling of them dissimilar to that of traditional large-scale power systems. A differential game-theoretic framework allows for the design of the distributed control structures for SSPS with player dynamics under simultaneous player movement. Under this approach, both loads and sources are defined as players in the system to form a game of energy between them. Game-theory-based modeling is necessary in this case since it optimizes the multiobjective optimization problem based on local control without the need for a communication channel. In this paper, a differential game-theoretic approach is used for path optimization of load players during a cold start that minimizes losses and achieves a desired steady-state operating point. Example simulation cases are obtained for a dc power system that has nine buses and dynamic load players. This power system is used to show the applicability, effectiveness, and performances of the proposed concepts. However, this method can be easily applied to other types of larger dc or ac networks. Finally, experimental results are yielded to validate the theoretical results and show that the proposed controller has higher performance compared with the traditional proportional-integral controller during transients.