A study being performed by the Kansas State University researchers utilizing renewable energy to produce a nimble distribution system has the prospects to transform the industry. The project concentrates on the existing power distribution systems that deliver power to residential homes.
The research anticipates that in future these systems will grow to be more complicated in structure due to the increased number of rooftop solar panels owned by consumers by availing government incentives. The research is supported by a four-year $1.1 million funding from the Cyber-Physical Systems program of National Science Foundation.
Holonic Multi-Agent Control of Intelligent Power Distribution Systems. Credit: Kansas State University
The research team comprises eight researchers drawn from the University’s computing and information sciences department and electrical and computer engineering department. In the project, the faculty members from electrical engineering will work on intelligent algorithms and the faculties from computing and information sciences will work to integrate every piece of information by utilizing a system design that supports adaptative behavior.
They are looking forward to introducing intelligent distribution systems that are more adaptive in dealing with events such as drop in solar panel power generation under cloudy conditions, which requires supply of power from the grid causing handling problems. Also the researchers are finding ways to improve power supply to homes from the grid in the event of natural calamities or due to technical failure.
The researchers are formulating a holonic multiagent system, which can monitor the happenings in the power grid then coordinate with the agents such as power stations, power distribution centers that supply power to the neighborhoods and homes. In the event of power failure, the agents will be able to discuss with each other and negotiate the power supply. The communication between the agents will assist during critical power disconnection situations to resolve supplying power to important facilities such as hospitals. The monitoring feature planned will assist in forecasting such events. Though the research is primarily focused on the use of solar panels, the substructure visualized by them will enable inclusion of wind power and battery power systems.