A Complex Systems Modelling Approach for Decentralised Simulation of Electrical Microgrids

The structure and behaviour of Electrical Grids share many of the properties of Complex Computer Systems, with microgrids and other decentralised electrical systems attached to them, so they can be interpreted as Systems of Systems. Furthermore, the evolution of future electrical systems will bring a higher degree of decentralisation, especially concerning production and control. To deal with this paradigm change, new models and tools are necessary. In this paper a model of an electrical microgrid is presented. The approach used in the development of the model is agent-based in combination with system dynamics modelling. By mixing these approaches the different entities of the electrical system (production, demand, storage, etc.) have been represented. Through the individual behaviour of the agents it is possible to reproduce the complex behaviour of the system as a whole. This can produce expected and unexpected emergent effects on the interconnected system that are analysed through the simulation. A case study is presented to analyse the capabilities of such models. The example shows the simulation of an integrated microgrid system, where different components such as renewable energy sources and storage have been implemented. The simulation results of this case study are discussed.