Distributed Control of Energy Management Systems

Distributed Control of Energy Management Systems
Professor Manfred Morari
Automatic Control Laboratory,ETH Zurich
Abstract:
We will describe two examples where model predictive control (originating from the chemical industries) is used to improve the operation and efficiency of energy producers and consumers. River power plants are important contributors to the over 19% of world electricity produced by hydro-electric plants. Built in the natural course of a river, they produce energy by manipulating the water discharge through their facilities. They therefore introduce fluctuations in the river's natural water level and flow, which might conflict with various constraints imposed for environmental and operational purposes.




Motivated by these issues, we discuss the application of model predictive control for regulating the turbine discharge of river power plants, taking into account environmental, navigational and economical constraints and limitations. Large disturbances caused by the operation of locks are particularly investigated, as well as the issue of reducing abrasion by keeping the frequency of turbine discharge adjustments modest. In the US buildings consume 39% of the energy and produce 48% of the carbon emissions. We have recently started a project to utilize weather forecasts for building energy management to reduce consumption and improve comfort. We will summarize the potential benefits of a stochastic optimal control strategy in a wide range of locations and building types in Europe.

Bio:
Manfred Morari was appointed head of the Automatic Control Laboratory at ETH Zurich in 1994. Before that he was the McCollum-Corcoran Professor of Chemical Engineering and Executive Officer for Control and Dynamical Systems at the California Institute of Technology. He obtained the diploma from ETH Zurich and the Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, both in chemical engineering. His interests are in hybrid systems and the control of biomedical systems. In recognition of his research contributions, he received numerous awards, among them the Donald P. Eckman Award and the John R. Ragazzini Award of the Automatic Control Council, the Allan P. Colburn Award and the Professional Progress Award of the AIChE, the Curtis W. McGraw Research Award of the ASEE, Doctor Honoris Causa from Babes Bolyai University, Fellow of IEEE, the IEEE Control Systems Field Award, and was elected to the National Academy of Engineering (U.S.). Manfred Morari has held appointments with Exxon and ICI plc and serves on the technical advisory boards of several major corporations.

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Science & Technology

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