Dynamic Modeling for Autonomous 𝜇-grid Control and Resilient Operation using Modelica and OpenIPSL
Speaker
Luigi Vanfretti
Professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Title
"Dynamic Modeling for Autonomous 𝜇-grid Control and Resilient Operation using Modelica and
OpenIPSL "
Abstract
Over the past decade, with the introduction of microgrids, a distributed architecture comprising small, localized grids, has emerged as a concept aimed at integrating Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) while maintaining or enhancing system resiliency and reliability, while leveraging inverter-based resources (IBRs), such as solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Nevertheless, the adoption of new grid architectures poses challenges, as implementing novel engineering concepts must consider the fundamental principles governing the operation of the existing grid to avoid potential disruptions. The risk associated with testing unproven ideas emphasizes the importance of modeling, particularly for dynamic simulation and control, to understand the interaction between the existing grid structure and microgrids.
In this context, Modelica, an open-access modeling language, offers unique features and tremendous potential for modeling and analyzing microgrids. This work utilizes Modelica to model microgrid components and systems. Beginning with the goal of leveraging DERs in microgrids, the work starts by developing renewable energy source models in the phasor domain capable of representing photovoltaic, wind, and battery energy storage systems. With these component models in place, whole microgrid models are constructed, including real-world university campus microgrids and a proof-of-concept microgrid model. Finally, these microgrid models are employed to test advanced control architectures, aiming to enhance resiliency and optimize microgrid operations to meet established performance requirements for microgrids. The results of this work provide description and validation of the aforementioned models, as well as proof of concept of utilizing Model Predictive Control to increase microgrid resiliency and achieve optimal autonomous operation and re-synchronization with the main grid.
About Speaker
Luigi Vanfretti is currently a Full Professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, since July 2022, where he was a tenured Associate Professor from 2017-6/2022-6. At RPI, he leads research projects in his laboratory and with his research team, ALSETLab, in the domains of electrical power and energy systems within the context of utilities and electrified transportation.
In addition to his academic duties, through Vanfretti Consulting LLC, Dr. Vanfretti has served as a consultant for utilities and research institutions, including Dominion Energy in Virginia, USA, the New York Power Authority, New York, USA, the SuperGrid Institute in Lyon, France, and CENACE (the power system operator of Ecuador), Quito, Ecuador, to name a few.
Luigi Vanfretti (Senior Member, IEEE) was born in Guatemala and obtained his Engineering Degree with a concentration in Electrical Power in 2005 from Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala. He then received the M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in electric power engineering from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Troy, NY, USA, in 2007 and 2009, respectively. He held postdoctoral research posts both at RPI and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden, in 2010.
He is currently a Full Professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, since July 2022, where he was a tenured Associate Professor from 2017-6/2022-6. At RPI, he leads research projects in his laboratory and with his research team, ALSETLab, in the domains of electrical power and energy systems in the context of utility networks and electrified transportation.
Professor Vanfretti has held temporary posts in prestigious international institutions, in 2019 he was a Visiting Faculty at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia; in 2022 he was a Visiting Professor at both the Laboratoire Ampère of the École Centrale de Lyon in 2022 and 2025, and at the SuperGrid Institute in 2022, both located in Lyon, France; and in 2023-2024 he was Visiting Faculty at the Mitsubishi Electric Research Labs., in Cambridge, MA.
In addition to his academic duties, through Vanfretti Consulting LLC, Dr. Vanfretti he has served as a consultant for utilities and research institutions, including Dominion Energy in Virginia, USA, the SuperGrid Institute in Lyon, France, and CENACE (the power system operator of Ecuador), Quito, Ecuador, to name a few.
Professor Vanfretti was an Assistant Professor, Associate Professor (tenured) and a Docent with the KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden, from 2010 to 2013 and from 2013 to 2017, respectively, where he led the SmarTS Lab (a research group). He was with Statnett SF, the Norwegian transmission system operator, from 2013 to 2016, as a Special Advisor with the Research and Development Department and as a consultant, from 2011 to 2012 and in 2017.
His research interests are in “electrified systems,”’ and include physics-based system modeling, simulation, stability and control in the domains of power grid and electrified transportation, both vehicles and infrastructure. In addition, he performs research on synchrophasor technologies, both on technology development and data analytics, and is interested in the application of software technologies, signal processing, system identification and machine learning for design and operation analytics for energy systems.