Joint Optimization of Control Performance and Network Resource Utilization in Homogeneous Power Networks

A framework that jointly optimizes the control and communication networks of network-controlled interactive power electronics networks is described in this paper. The joint optimization framework includes two coupled blocks, one whose focus is to ensure optimal performance of the power network within its stability bounds and the other whose thrust is on optimizing the information flow in a communication network. These two networks have contrasting requirements because, on the one hand, time delays are detrimental to the stability and performance of the control system, while on the other hand, allowing higher time delays leads to efficient utilization of the communication network's resources. The proposed framework leads to an optimal compromise between these two noncooperative networks. Three different implementation approaches for the integrated control–communication framework are investigated, namely, centralized, distributed, and clustered. A case illustration of a homogeneous power network is provided to demonstrate the efficacy of the joint control–communication framework and compare the performance of the three implementation approaches.