Optimizing real-time energy control in hybrid low-voltage microgrids using a multi-agent approach

Abstract

This research proposes a real-time framework for energy management and control in hybrid low-voltage microgrids (LVMGs) through multi-agent systems (MAS). The proposed framework enables decentralized and autonomous coordination among renewable energy sources, energy storage systems, loads, and the utility grid to dynamically optimize power flows under varying operating conditions. Each agent adjusts its setpoints using local information while cooperating with other agents to achieve global objectives. The MAS is implemented using The Java Agent Development Framework (JADE) and co-simulated with MATLAB/Simulink to accurately represent the microgrid’s physical behavior. Simulation results under grid-connected and islanded modes demonstrate that the proposed approach increases renewable energy utilization by up to 10% and reduces total energy costs by 7.6% compared to conventional centralized control schemes. Moreover, the system exhibits strong adaptability and robustness in the presence of renewable intermittency and load fluctuations, ensuring reliable real-time operation. These results confirm that MAS-based control provides an effective, scalable, and resilient solution for real-time energy management in hybrid LVMGs.