Autonomous adaptive agents for distributed control of the electric power grid in a competitive electric power industry

A generic model of a complete electric power grid (including generation, transmission, distribution and loads), based on multiple adaptive, intelligent agents, is being developed by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRT). Its ultimate purpose is to model the computational intelligence required for distributed control of a geographically dispersed but globally interconnected power network. The current worldwide trend toward free competition in electric power, combined with the new availability of very high voltage active control devices, generates the requirement and provides the means for totally distributed sensing, computation and control. The multiple agents-based model and simulation being developed will also serve as a "scenario-free" testbed for "what if" studies and computer experiments to provide insight into the evolution of the electric enterprise in response to various economic pressures and technological advances. Early work in this area has emphasized modeling market forces and strategies limited only by the physics of electricity and the topology of the grid. Ultimately, this model will test whether any central authority is required, or even desirable, and whether free economic cooperation and competition can, by itself, optimize the efficiency and security of network operation for the mutual benefit of all.