Real-Time Control Based on Multi-Agent Systems for the Operation of Large Ports as Prosumer Microgrids

Full electrification of large ports and intelligent energy networks compose a very promising solution, not only for limiting the in-port greenhouse gas emissions but also for the improvement of their efficiency and electric power system operation support. Large ports comprise a variety of flexible loads like refrigerated containers, electric vehicles, onshore electric power supply to ships at berth, and so on, while they usually have great potential for local energy generation from renewable energy resources, like offshore wind, tides, waves, and so on. Smart grids can be proved very efficient in increasing port power demand flexibility and controllability. The main goal of this paper is to propose an innovative decentralized demand response method that eventually turns a port comprising flexible loads and power generation from renewable energy sources to a prosumer Microgrid. The proposed method is applied to a realistic case study of a large port comprising a large number of flexible loads and one offshore wind park. The efficiency of the proposed method is evaluated by detailed simulations.