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Deployment of an Online Feedback Optimization Controller for Reactive Power Flow Optimization in a Distribution Grid
Systems and Control · Submitted 11 May 2023
abstract compiled · 2026-09-23 · no language-model review
The authors' main claim Finally, we demonstrate the successful deployment of an OFO controller in an operational environment which corresponds to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7.
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The abstract, sentence by sentence
Optimization is an essential part of power grid operation and lately, Online Optimization methods have gained traction. One such method is Online Feedback Optimization (OFO) which uses measurements from the grid as feedback to iteratively change the control inputs until they converge to the solution of the optimization problem. Such algorithms have been applied to many power system problems and experimentally validated in lab setups. This paper implements an OFO controller in a real distribution grid for 24/7 operation using off-the-shelf hardware and software. The proposed control strategy optimizes the reactive power flow at the substation while satisfying voltage constraints. As part of an existing coordination scheme between (sub)transmission grid operator (TSO) and distribution grid operator (DSO), this comes with a financial reward and simultaneously it virtually reinforces the grid by regulating the voltage on the feeder and therefore allowing higher levels of distributed generation/consumption. We present how a distribution grid is retrofitted such that we can use existing inverters, we analyze the controller's interaction with legacy infrastructure, and investigate its overall control behavior. Finally, we demonstrate the successful deployment of an OFO controller in an operational environment which corresponds to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7.
background contribution method result interpretation main claim
| # | sentence | role | the authors' own work | states the main conclusion | strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| s0 | Optimization is an essential part of power grid operation and lately, Online Optimization methods have gained traction. | background 1.00 | 0.04 | 0.02 | asserted 1.00 |
| s1 | One such method is Online Feedback Optimization (OFO) which uses measurements from the grid as feedback to iteratively change the control inputs until they converge to the solution of the optimization problem. | background 0.92 | 0.05 | 0.03 | asserted 1.00 |
| s2 | Such algorithms have been applied to many power system problems and experimentally validated in lab setups. | background 0.99 | 0.06 | 0.03 | asserted 1.00 |
| s3 | This paper implements an OFO controller in a real distribution grid for 24/7 operation using off-the-shelf hardware and software. | contribution 0.95 | 0.95 | 0.15 | asserted 1.00 |
| s4 | The proposed control strategy optimizes the reactive power flow at the substation while satisfying voltage constraints. | contribution 0.70 | 0.86 | 0.11 | asserted 1.00 |
| s5 | As part of an existing coordination scheme between (sub)transmission grid operator (TSO) and distribution grid operator (DSO), this comes with a financial reward and simultaneously it virtually reinforces the grid by regulating the voltage on the feeder and therefore allowing higher levels of distributed generation/consumption. | interpretation 0.77 | 0.55 | 0.11 | asserted 1.00 |
| s6 | We present how a distribution grid is retrofitted such that we can use existing inverters, we analyze the controller's interaction with legacy infrastructure, and investigate its overall control behavior. | contribution 0.90 | 0.94 | 0.06 | asserted 0.97 |
| s7 | Finally, we demonstrate the successful deployment of an OFO controller in an operational environment which corresponds to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7. | result 0.61 | 0.95 | 0.70 | asserted 1.00 |
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The paper
Original abstract
Optimization is an essential part of power grid operation and lately, Online Optimization methods have gained traction. One such method is Online Feedback Optimization (OFO) which uses measurements from the grid as feedback to iteratively change the control inputs until they converge to the solution of the optimization problem. Such algorithms have been applied to many power system problems and experimentally validated in lab setups. This paper implements an OFO controller in a real distribution grid for 24/7 operation using off-the-shelf hardware and software. The proposed control strategy optimizes the reactive power flow at the substation while satisfying voltage constraints. As part of an existing coordination scheme between (sub)transmission grid operator (TSO) and distribution grid operator (DSO), this comes with a financial reward and simultaneously it virtually reinforces the grid by regulating the voltage on the feeder and therefore allowing higher levels of distributed generation/consumption. We present how a distribution grid is retrofitted such that we can use existing inverters, we analyze the controller's interaction with legacy infrastructure, and investigate its overall control behavior. Finally, we demonstrate the successful deployment of an OFO controller in an operational environment which corresponds to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7.
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How the literature uses it
3 arXiv papers cite this in 7 sentences
Papers citing it · 2 sentences without a confident label
Compares with it 1 paper
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We note that, relative to [ref] , our design leverages the theory of CBFs [ref] , our method can handle constraints that are nonlinear, and we provide practical stability and forward-invariance guarantees.
Optimal Power Flow Pursuit via Feedback-based Safe Gradient Flow · Introduction · 0.94
Cites it as support 1 paper
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We stress that none of these iterations require to evaluate the plant model $y=h(u;w)$ numerically, as they rely on directed measurements of $y$, which dramatically increase the robustness of these approaches to model uncertainty, as observed both in numerical simulations [ref] and in real-world experiments [ref] .
Tutorial on Congestion Control in Multi-Area Transmission Grids via Online Feedback Equilibrium Seeking · Single-Area Transmission Grid Control · 1.00
Cites it as background 2 papers
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In this work, we focus on real-time AC OPF methods [ref] , and seek new strategies that exhibit strong performance in terms of achieved operational cost and voltage limit satisfaction (both from analytical and numerical standpoints), while using limited measurements.
Optimal Power Flow Pursuit via Feedback-based Safe Gradient Flow · Introduction · 0.86
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In the domain of power distribution grids, these methods have been proposed in multiple variations (see the review in [ref] ), specialized to Volt/VAr regulation [ref] or more general optimality criteria [ref] , tested experimentally [ref] , and even deployed in the real world [ref] .
Tutorial on Congestion Control in Multi-Area Transmission Grids via Online Feedback Equilibrium Seeking · Introduction · 0.87
What it cites · 4 sentences without a confident label
Cites as background 1 paper
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For an overview see [ref] .
Optimization Algorithms as Robust Feedback Controllers · Online Feedback Optimization · 1.00
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