Abstract:
The role of ensuring generation-demand balance across power systems has traditionally fallen to large, controllable synchronous generators. However, as renewable sources progressively displace aging generation, new mechanisms must be established for balancing generation and demand.
This talk will consider schemes for regulating the total demand of large populations of small loads. Analysis and control of such load ensembles is achieved using aggregate load models. Aggregation of loads that naturally operate according to hysteresis control, for example thermostatically controlled loads (TCLs) such as residential air-conditioners and heat pumps, will be presented. Extension to aggregation of other forms of load, such as electric vehicle chargers, will also be considered. So-called bin models form the basis for such load aggregation.
The presentation will consider the accuracy and fidelity of bin models. It will be shown that various load ensemble control strategies are prone to undesirable, highly nonlinear forms of behaviour including synchronization, sustained oscillations and bifurcations. The nature of such dynamic behaviour will be explored and the implications for controller design considered.
Bio:
Ian A. Hiskens is the Vennema Professor Emeritus of Engineering in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He has held prior appointments with the Queensland electricity supply industry, and various universities in Australia and the United States. His research interests lie at the intersection of power system analysis and systems theory, with recent activity focused largely on integration of renewable generation and controllable loads.
Dr. Hiskens is involved in numerous IEEE activities in the Power and Energy Society, Control Systems Society,Circuits and Systems Society and Smart Grid Initiative, and has served as VP-Finance of the IEEE Systems Council.
He is a member of the Editorial Board of the Proceedings of the IEEE. He is a Life Fellow of IEEE and a Fellow of Engineers Australia. Dr. Hiskens is a Chartered Professional Engineer in Australia, and the 2020 recipient of the M.A. Sargent Medal from Engineers Australia.
