Abstract
The transition from conventional energy generation to clean energy generation based on
renewable energies is leading to a rapidly growing share of decentralised energy sources in the
electricity supply. As a result, fundamental changes in the electricity supply structure are taking
place, creating new challenges for the decentralised operation of future electricity grids. The
Clustering Power Systems Approach (CPSA) provides a solution in terms of the organisation
and subdivision of the electricity grid by allocating cluster areas for its structured automation
and control. This research focuses on providing a suitable software system for decentralised
automation and control systems based on the CPSA to meet the rapid changes and future
challenges in electrical power networks.
Using this approach, a developed software architecture design for automation and control
systems, the so-called Smart Grid Cluster Controller (SGCC), was developed and is presented
in this doctoral thesis. A suitable method for digitally describing the structure of power
networks and the data organisation of clustered power system status was researched, developed
and validated under real grid operating conditions. The topology of decentralised power grids
is mapped by graph-based fundamental structures and enhanced by a novel Neighbour Cluster
Overlapping Method (NCOM). In addition, a time-series database was used for decentralised
process data mapping, whereby a direct reference to the topology description was realised.
Decentralised neighbouring grid cluster areas can be coordinated concerning the necessary
process data exchange.
The results of the validated software architecture design, the graph-based cluster topology
description using NCOM, and the organisation for decentralised process data exchange show a
significant contribution to conventional industrial automation systems for the application of
decentralised automation and control. The results developed based on the research discussed in
this thesis provide the possibility of an organised and structured operation of increasingly
decentralised power networks.