Research

With the proliferation of distributed energy resources (DERs), end-users are seeking more choices: desire at least partial independence from the grid, but also want to participate in grid energy management proactively. This reinforces the need for innovative mechanisms to coordinate the DERs. Inspired by the emerging sharing economy, we explored the potential of energy sharing by answering why we share? How to share? What if we share?

Collaborators:

• Prof. Shengwei Mei | Tsinghua U.

• Prof. Adam Wierman, Prof. Steven Low | Caltech

• Prof. Enrique Mallada | Johns Hopkins U.

Featured publications:

• Y. Chen, C. Zhao, S. H. Low, Adam Wierman. An energy sharing mechanism considering network constraints and market power limitation. IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, 2023, 14(2): 1027-1041.

• Y. Chen, C. Zhao, S. H. Low, et al. Approaching prosumer social optimum via energy sharing with proof of convergence. IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, 2020, 12(3): 2484-2495.

• Y. Chen, S. Mei, F. Zhou, et al. An energy sharing game with generalized demand bidding: Model and properties. IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, 2019, 11(3): 2055-2066.

Electric vehicles (EVs), as both electricity and transportation assests, can participate in the optimal operation of power distribution systems and transportation systems as flexible resources. To fully unlock this flexibilty, we have developed optimal, scalable algorithms for charging station energy management, EV aggregate flexibility characterization, and coordination of coupled power-transportation systems.

Collaborators:

• Prof. Zheng Yan, Prof. Xiaoyuan Xu | Shanghai Jiao Tong U.

• Prof. Steven Low, Prof. Adam Wierman | Caltech

• Prof. Chengbin Ma | UM-SJTU Joint Institute

Featured publications:

• J. Li, X. Xu, Z. Yan, H. Wang, M. Shahidehpour, Y. Chen. Coordinated optimization of emergency response resources in transportation-power distribution networks under extreme events, IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, 2023. DOI: 10.1109/TSG.2023.3257040

• D. Yan, Y. Chen. Distributed coordination of charging stations with shared energy storage in a distribution network, IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, 2023. DOI: 10.1109/TSG.2023.3260096

• D. Yan, Y. Chen. A distributed online algorithm for promoting energy sharing between EV charging stations. IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, 2023, 14(2): 1158-1172.

Uncertainties caused by renewable energy and random electricity demand is the main challenge for power system security and reliability. We have developed effective models and algorithms to hedge against both exogenous uncertainty and endogenous uncertainty.

Collaborators:

• Prof. Feng Liu, Prof. Wei Wei | Tsinghua

• Prof. Pierre Pinson | Imperial College London

Featured publications:

• Y. Chen, W. Wei. Robust generation dispatch with strategic renewable power curtailment and decision-dependent uncertainty. IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, 2022. DOI: 10.1109/TPWRS.2022.3214856

• Y. Su, F. Liu, Z. Wang, Y. Zhang, B. Li, Y. Chen. Multi-stage robust dispatch considering demand response under decision-dependent uncertainty, IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, 2023, 14(4): 2786-2797.

• Y. Zhang, F. Liu, Z. Wang, Y. Chen, et al. On Nash-Stackelberg-Nash games under decision-dependent uncertainties: Model and equilibrium. Automatica, 2022, 142: 110401.