T11.4 - Intelligent Low-Bandwidth Frequency Controller for VSGs at Economic Dispatch in Islanded Microgrid

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

9:30 AM – 9:50 AM ET

Location: Level Three, A315

Technical Lecture Presenter(s)

Shraf Eldin Sati

Khalifa University of Science and Technology

Presentation Paper

Co-Author(s)

AA

Ahmed Al-Durra

Khalifa University of Science and Technology
HZ

Hatem Zeineldin

Khalifa University of Science and Technology
TE

Tarek El-Fouly

Khalifa University of Science and Technology
EE

Ehab F. El-Saadany

Khalifa University of Science and Technology

This paper proposes a distributed low-bandwidth intelligent controller (DLBIC) to restore islanded microgrid (IMG) frequency and maintain economic dispatch (ED) among inverter-based distributed generators (IBDGs). The DLBIC utilizes local measurements and receives a single variable from the nearest IBDG, reducing communication bandwidth and network infrastructure costs. The DLBIC is model-free, operating without prior IMG model knowledge, and outperforms other approaches by handling IBDG nonlinearity and complexity without extensive training. Leveraging reinforcement learning, DLBIC autonomously learns and manages uncertainties and disturbances within the IMG. Time-domain results and real-time control-in-loop experiments show that the DLBIC successfully restores IMG frequency, provides virtual inertia, mitigates frequency nadir/overshoot, eliminates oscillations, and achieves optimal ED.