A device-level service-oriented middleware platform for self-manageable DC microgrid applications utilizing semantic-enabled distributed energy resources

Dynamic and adaptable integration of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) into novel power system assets, such as microgrids, is one of the key prerequisites for accelerated Smart Grid deployment. By using standardized network interfaces and semantic descriptions for remotely controllable DERs, it is possible to develop intelligent microgrid applications capable of dealing with dynamic loads and intermittent DER power production. IEC 61850 standard has been accepted as one of the prime movers of successful and interoperable Smart Grid communication and integration. Although primarily being applied to the sub-station automation, IEC 61850 now provides semantic definitions for DER devices allowing it to be applied to expert microgrid application development. The current IEC 61850 middleware definition cannot cope with certain Smart Grid requirements such as support for autonomous microgrid applications with DER plug-and-play capability. These issues could be solved by integrating the device-level Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) paradigm into IEC 61850 applications. Developing a device-level SOA mid-dleware platform based on IEC 61850 principles could significantly facilitate standards-compliant DER integration and accelerate microgrid deployment. A new middleware platform for microgrid applications is proposed. It is based on integrating device-level SOA design principles into IEC 61850 applications in order to fulfil dynamic microgrid management requirements. Electrical power grids of the future, also known as Smart Grids [1], introduce numerous challenges and novelties into all of the elements of traditional power systems. The indispensable Smart Grid goal of achieving a two-way flow of power and information is hampered by the use of non-interoperable and proprietary communication systems. Hence, one of the key prerequisites of successful Smart Grid deployment is streamlined integration of standards-compliant devices and applications. International standard IEC 61850 [2] is foreseen to be a solution providing extensible Smart Grid integration, as well as a communication architecture based on vendor-independent and technology-neutral principles. However, the current definition of IEC 61850 is tightly-coupled with the integration of substation automation characterized by relatively predetermined management principles and static configurations. Novel Smart Grid assets, such as microgrids [3] and virtual power plants (VPPs) [4], require dynamic reconfiguration capabilities for system entity interaction. Although IEC 61850 supports semantic definitions for DERs and, therefore, can be applied to microgrid applications, there is still a lack of support for dynamic and self-managed microgrid features such as automatic DER discovery, semantic interpretation of DER capabilities and DER integration into microgrid applications without human intervention. Consequently, there is a strong need for finding …