Agent-based autonomous energy consumption management for mi¬crogrid monitoring systems

Abstract

Microgrids are local electrical systems that combine generation, energy storage, and electrical loads within a defined area, operating both in disconnected and connected modes. These facilities represent an evolution of distributed generation, oriented toward the local production and consumption of electrical energy to take advantage of available resources, reduce transmission losses, and increase supply reliability, especially in the event of grid failures. Microgrids require control and monitoring systems to manage generation, storage, and loads. In disconnected mode, these systems must balance consumption with available energy, prioritizing the supply of critical microgrid loads. Considering this, this work proposes the development of an autonomous electronic consumption management system that adapts demand according to the specifications of the microgrid monitoring system. The design of the proposed software and hardware, as well as the tests that demonstrate adequate consumption management, guaranteeing supply to critical loads under different conditions imposed by the microgrid monitoring system, are detailed. The proposal can improve resilience in micro­grids, especially in cases with high renewable energy penetration and/or high reliability requirements.