DNN Assisted Projection Based Deep Reinforcement Learning for Safe Control of Distribution Grids

Deep reinforcement learning (DRL) is a promising solution for voltage control of distribution grids with high penetration of inverter-based renewable energy sources (RESs). Yet, when adopting the DRL-based control method, the safe and optimal operation of the system cannot be guaranteed at the same time, as the conventional DRL agent is not designed to solve the hard constraint problem. To address this challenge, this paper proposes a deep neural network (DNN) assisted projection based DRL method for safe control of distribution grids. First, a finite iteration projection algorithm is proposed to guarantee hard constraints by converting a non-convex optimization problem into a finite iteration problem. Next, a DNN assisted projection method is proposed to accelerate the calculation of projection and achieve the practical implementation of hard constraints in DRL problem. Finally, a DNN Projection embedded twin-delayed deep deterministic policy gradient (DPe-TD3) method is proposed to achieve optimal operation of distribution grids with guaranteed 100% safety of the distribution grid. The safety of the DRL training is guaranteed via the embedded Projection DNN in TD3 with participation in gradient return process, which could smoothly and effectively project the DRL agent actions into the feasible area, thus guaranteeing the safety of data driven control and the optimal operation at the same time. The case studies and comparisons are conducted in the IEEE 33 bus system to show the effectiveness of the proposed method.