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Joint Master Thesis ETH- NREL: Online optimization for distribution grid

This Master Thesis will be conducted 50% of the time at ETH and 50% of the time at the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL)in Golden, CO, USA

All around the world we are witnessing an increased penetration of renewable energy in the power grid. Traditional generators synchronize to the same frequency through the electromechanical coupling provided by the physics of the grid. Photovoltaic and wind generators are connected to the grid via power inverters that do not inherit these synchronizing properties.

Traditionally, power inverters are controlled to track the frequency of the grid and inject a predefined amount of power. This is only possible if there are enough synchronous generators that keep the grid running.

Using simplified inverter models, we have developed decentralized control algorithms that provably synchronize a power grid composed of 100% inverted connected generation. to the desired power set-points.

The goal of this project is to study online optimization algorithms that compute optimal set-points for the inverters in real time, in order to run the grid at the best operating point that does not violate the physical constraints.