Distributed optimal dispatch for DC distribution networks

Abstract

Economic dispatch coordinates the generation across the distribution network while minimizing the overall generational cost. Optimal dispatch is a global optimization problem and, thus, conventionally carried out by a supervisory controller. However, reliability concerns challenge such architectural design as the failure in the central controller or any communication links would hinder the whole system functionality. Moreover, investigation of such optimization methods has been mainly limited to AC distribution systems; Optimal dispatch of DC distribution systems is largely under-investigated. Alternatively, this work deigns a distributed controller to achieve optimal dispatch of DC sources by properly sharing the load among DC sources and synchronizing individual incremental costs. This synchrony leads to optimal dispatch of dc sources and secures the system performance against controller or communication link failures.