Distributed control approach for Community Energy Management Systems

In this paper we present a system architecture and suitable control methodologies of an ICT platform for the management and control of Distributed Generation (DG) units and active energy consumers, which act together as an Energy Community (EC). Within this platform the proposed control methodologies allow to adapt unit generation profiles and active loads to ensure economic benefits to each EC actor. The key aspect is the organization in two levels of control: at residential level a Smart Home Controller (SHC) monitors and control a subset of appliances, while at higher level a Community energy Management System (CEMS) efficiently coordinate generation units and power grid energy withdrawals. Proposed control methodologies involve the design of a distributed algorithm.