EE Colloquium: Optimization, Distributed Control, and Cybersecurity of Integrated Energy Systems

Abstract: While the advent of advanced power converter technologies, communication systems, and information technology has improved the efficiency and flexibility of energy supply, more challenges have been introduced to the security and control of energy systems. In this presentation, three aspects of optimization, distributed control, and cybersecurity of integrated cyber-physical energy systems will be discussed. First, resource allocation and demand response of energy systems interlinked to other critical infrastructures such as water distribution networks and buildings will be investigated, and it will be shown that integrated resource allocation results in reduction of operational costs and load shifting capabilities. Second, cyber-physical attacks on advanced metering infrastructure leading to blackouts in smart grids will be modeled using bi-level optimization formulation. The impact of cyberattacks on failure of transmission and distribution systems will be shown and the performance of conventional and advanced state-estimation techniques in detection of such attacks will be evaluated. Next, control of cyber-physical power system will be covered and the role of distributed control in minimizing the communication link requirements of distributed energy resources (DERs), maximizing the flexibility and reliability of energy supply, and providing ancillary services to the grid will be demonstrated through case studies.

Bio: Dr. Javad Khazaei received the Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from University of South Florida (USF) in 2016 with focus on power and energy systems. He is currently an Assistant Professor at the electrical engineering department at Penn State Harrisburg. He is also affiliated with the architectural engineering department at Penn State University Park.

His research is currently funded by the Department of Defense, Office of Naval Research (ONR), to develop distributed control algorithms for DERs in smart grids and advance the cybersecurity research in cyber-physical power systems and shipboard microgrids. His research interests include microgrid modeling, dynamic analysis of power converters in smart grids and buildings, optimization of smart grids and water distribution networks, cyber-physical power system security, renewable energy integration, and application of power electronics in power systems.