A Multi-agent Microgrid Energy Management Solution for Air Transport Electrification

Abstract

To achieve net-zero emissions in air transport industry with defined CO2 mitigation objectives in “Flightpath 2050”, electrically powered aircraft as part of electrified aviation become attractive technologies. In recent years, many electric aircraft prototypes for short-haul commuting air transport have been designed. Most of them are supposed to be deployed in the real airports by 2030 - 2035. However, the ground power systems and associated electric aircraft charging operation are also essential for realising electrified aviation. Moreover, various renewable generation technologies in terms of PVs and micro wind turbines, electric vehicles and energy storage systems are expected to be integrated into the airport to form a decarbonised microgrid energy system. Therefore, there is a challenge of designing airport microgrids associated with energy scheduling algorithms for electric aircraft charging as well as airport decarbonisation. To overcome this challenge, this paper proposes a multi-agent real-time microgrid energy scheduling solution for electrified air transport. The coordination algorithm between the electric aircraft charging system and the electric vehicles charging in the airport parking lot is developed to enhance the resilience and operational flexibility of the airport microgrid. The stochastic behaviours of the airport passengers and renewable power generation are integrated into the airport microgrid energy management solution. The study shows that the airport microgrid can achieve the resilience through the proposed energy management solution.