Microgrid optimization & real-time control via a digital architecture for dynamic orchestration

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Patsidis, Angelos and Dyśko, Adam and Booth, Campbell and Abdulhadi, Ibrahim and Avras, Andreas and Tzelepis, Dimitrios (2026) Microgrid optimization & real-time control via a digital architecture for dynamic orchestration. International Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems, 178. 111923. ISSN 0142-0615 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijepes.2026.111923)

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Abstract

The integrated management of modern microgrids presents significant challenges arising from the heterogeneous nature of distributed energy resources, the need for real-time adaptive control, and the growing requirement for regulatory compliance, challenges that existing energy management frameworks address only in isolation. This paper presents a novel digital architecture that synergizes cloud computing, a full alternating current optimal power flow formulation, and real time edge control within a vertical, iterative, and distributed paradigm. The alternating current optimal power flow explicitly incorporates electric vehicle charging via the constant impedance constant current-constant power load model and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning thermal dynamics, alongside integration of electric vehicles and controllable demand. This allows for the realization of high-level objectives, low-level real-time control and protection strategies, and the dynamic adaptation of control signals to real-time network dynamics. A dynamic re-triggering mechanism ensures the optimization adapts to real-time network events within one 5-minute cycle, while edge-level protection and control functions respond in real-time independently of cloud communication status. Validation through a Hardware-in-the-Loop setup at the Power Networks Demonstration Centre across seven operational scenarios demonstrates 288 consecutive alternating current optimal power flow runs with zero failed solves, a maximum voltage deviation of 2.3% from nominal, and 100% market dispatch accuracy. The proposed architecture provides a cost-effective alternative to conventional solutions, with edge hardware below $1,000 per unit compared to industry-standard costs of $155,000–$470,000 per MW, underscoring the practical applicability and real-world readiness of the proposed framework.

ORCID iDs

Patsidis, Angelos ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8811-0794, Dyśko, Adam ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3658-7566, Booth, Campbell ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3869-4477, Abdulhadi, Ibrahim ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3657-8379, Avras, Andreas and Tzelepis, Dimitrios ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4263-7299;
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