Multi-agent Control of Customer's Loads for Influence of Renewable Energy on the Power System

If mass renewable energy sources are introduced into the electric power system, frequency control for the power system will be difficult by a rapid output change of the sources. In the case that a change of renewable energy output exceeds the ability of frequency control by power plants, it is considered that to control customer's loads is useful. We considered a method to control mass customer's loads using a multi-agent system. A prototype program, in which the every load turns ON/OFF autonomously when the renewable energy output changes, was developed. About 500 agents could work autonomously to control demand and supply balance. Power system simulations were conducted with the 500 agents working. By the agent's working, frequency fluctuations could be suppressed.