A Novel Multi-Agent Decision Making Architecture Based on Dual's Dual Problem Formulation

In this paper, a novel multi-agent decision making architecture based on dual’s dual problem formulation is designed for economic operation. The benefits of such architecture include its limited information exchange among autonomous entities and the ease of implementation. Existing AC optimal power flow (OPF) software packages can be easily incorporated. The proposed decision making is based on dual’s dual problem formulation, which is the first time seen in the literature to tackle an OPF problem. Subgradient-based iterative solving procedure results in a multi-agent decision making architecture. Convergence property of the algorithm is analyzed. The application scope of the proposed method is also discussed to identify challenges for meshed networks. Case studies are given to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method in providing approximate solutions to IEEE 14-bus system AC OPF. Implementing the proposed decision making architecture in real world is also demonstrated in a dynamic simulation platform.