Optimal Power Flow: An Introduction to Predictive, Distributed and Stochastic Control Challenges
It bridges the vocabulary gap between control and power systems communities for researchers new to optimal power flow.
This paper provides a systems-and-control-oriented introduction to optimal power flow problems, covering multi-stage predictive control, stochastic uncertainties, and distributed optimization, while highlighting open questions for the control community.
The Energiewende is a paradigm change that can be witnessed at latest since the political decision to step out of nuclear energy. Moreover, despite common roots in Electrical Engineering, the control community and the power systems community face a lack of common vocabulary. In this context, this paper aims at providing a systems-and-control specific introduction to optimal power flow problems which are pivotal in the operation of energy systems. Based on a concise problem statement, we introduce a common description of optimal power flow variants including multi-stage-problems and predictive control, stochastic uncertainties, and issues of distributed optimization. Moreover, we sketch open questions that might be of interest for the systems and control community.