A distributed control based on finite-time consensus algorithm for the cluster of DC microgrids

The cluster of DC microgrids consisting of multiple interconnected DC microgrids has great potential for improving the reliability and reducing the cost of power generation. Coordinated control is a common method often used to achieve this potential. This paper proposes a distributed coordination control strategy that overcomes a series of problems of centralized control to ensure stable and economical operation of DC microgrids. In this control strategy, based on the hierarchical structure, voltage secondary control and global generation cost control are introduced on the basis of original droop control. Each power generation unit only interacts with neighboring communication units through a finite-time consensus algorithm. The ultimate goal is to achieve multiple control goals including voltage stability and minimum global generation costs. This control method has high reliability, which does not require a central controller and only implements the strategy based on information exchange between neighbor units. At the same time, the finite-time consensus algorithm and communication sequence used in this paper are effective to speed up the calculation and reduce the control time. The proposed control strategy is verified in a system containing four DC microgrids. By using the Matlab/Simulink simulation platform, the corresponding simulation cases are performed for different scenarios such as plug-and-play and load fluctuation.