Hierarchical MPC control for Plug-and-Play resource distribution

Abstract:

In this talk, we shall discuss hierarchichal model predictive control (MPC) of distributed systems. A three level hierachical approach is proposed, consisting of a high level MPC controller, a second level of so-called aggregators, controlled by an online MPC-like algorithm, and a lower level of autonomous units. The approach is inspired by smart-grid electric power production and consumption systems, where the flexibility of a large number of power producing and/or power consuming units can be exploited in a smart-grid solution. The objective is to accommodate the load variation on the grid, arising on one hand from varying consumption, on the other hand by natural variations in power production e.g. from wind turbines. The approach presented is based on quadratic optimization and possess the properties of low algorithmic complexity and of scalability. In particular, the proposed design methodology facilitates plug-and-play addition of subsystems without redesign of any controllers. The method is supported by a number of simulations featuring a three-level smart-grid power control system for a small isolated power grid.

Biography:

Jakob Stoustrup received the M.Sc. degree in Electrical Engineering in 1987, and the Ph.D. degree in Applied Mathematics in 1991, both from the Technical University of Denmark. After a first position as Teaching Assistant at the Technical University of Denmark, and visiting researcher at Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands, 1988, he became Senior Researcher sponsored by the Danish Technical Research Council, 1991. Assistant Professor 1991-1995, and Associate Professor 1995-1996, both at the Department of Mathematics, Technical University of Denmark. He was visiting professor at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, U.K., in 1996, and later Visiting Professor at the Mittag-Leffler Institute, Stockholm, Sweden, 2003. Since 1997 (full) Professor at Automation & Control, Aalborg University, and in 2006, he became Head of Research for the Department of Electronic Systems. Jakob Stoustrup has been a Member of the Swedish Research Council (Signals and Systems), and of The Danish Research Council for Technology and Production Sciences. He has acted as associate editor, guest editor, and editorial board member of international journals. Prof. Stoustrup has been appointed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers as Chairman of a Control Systems Society/Robotics & Automation Society Joint Chapter. In 2008, Jakob Stoustrup was elected as Chairman for the International Federation of Automatic Control, TC6.4. Prof. Stoustrup has extensive industrial cooperation, and has been CEO for two technological start-up companies. He has led numerous major research projects based on a high number of research grants and contracts.

The main contributions of Professor Jakob Stoustrup have been to robust control theory and to the theory of fault tolerant control systems. In these two areas he has published more than 200 peer-reviewed scientific papers. His work spans the whole range from the development of new theoretical methods to practical industrial applications, carried out by Professor Stoustrup in cooperation with more than 50 industrial companies in several countries.

Jakob Stoustrup has received the The Statoil Prize (1997), The Dannin Award for Scientific Research (2006), and he is a member of The Danish Academy of Technical Sciences (2005).