Exploiting multi-agent system technology within an autonomous regional active network management system

Davidson, Euan M. and McArthur, Stephen D. J. (2007) Exploiting multi-agent system technology within an autonomous regional active network management system. In: International Conference on Intelligent Systems Applications to Power Systems, 2007-11-05 - 2007-11-08. (https://doi.org/10.1109/ISAP.2007.4441680)

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Abstract

This paper describes the proposed application of multi-agent system (MAS) technology within AuRA-NMS, an autonomous regional network management system currently being developed in the UK through a partnership between several UK universities, distribution network operators (DNO) and a major equipment manufacturer. The paper begins by describing the challenges facing utilities and why those challenges have led the utilities, a major manufacturer and the UK government to invest in the development of a flexible and extensible active network management system. The requirements the utilities have for a network automation system they wish to deploy on their distribution networks are discussed in detail. With those requirements in mind the rationale behind the use of multi-agent systems (MAS) within AuRA-NMS is presented and the inherent research and design challenges highlighted including: the issues associated with robustness of distributed MAS platforms; the arbitration of different control functions; and the relationship between the ontological requirements of Foundation for Intelligent Physical Agent (FIPA) compliant multi-agent systems, legacy protocols and standards such as IEC 61850 and the common information model (CIM).

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