Multi-Agent Systems for Energy Management in Microgrid Environments
Summary
Multi-agent systems (MAS) represent a decentralised approach to coordinating distributed devices within microgrids, enabling autonomous decision-making and peer-to-peer negotiation. Each agent may represent a generation unit, storage device or controllable load, communicating through defined protocols to optimise objectives such as cost, reliability and carbon emissions. By distributing intelligence across the network, MAS architectures accommodate the variable output of renewable resources, support demand response programmes and facilitate seamless islanding when disconnected from the main grid. Recent advances have emphasised interoperability, resilience to cyber threats and adaptive learning capabilities, while real-world pilot projects have demonstrated enhanced energy efficiency, reduced peak demand and improved integration of prosumers. As the penetration of solar photovoltaics, wind turbines and storage systems intensifies, MAS provide a scalable framework for real-time coordination, leveraging local forecasts, market signals and system constraints to orchestrate complex energy flows within neighbourhood-scale microgrids.
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Multi-Agent Systems for Energy Management in Microgrid Environments publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in multi-agent systems for energy management in microgrid environments across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Multi-Agent System (MAS): A decentralised network of autonomous software entities (agents) that communicate and cooperate to achieve collective goals in energy management.
Microgrid: A localised energy system integrating generation, storage and loads that can operate connected to or independent from the main power grid.
Distributed Energy Resources (DER): Small-scale power generation or storage technologies (such as solar panels, wind turbines and batteries) located close to end users.
Demand Response: Flexibility mechanisms allowing loads to adjust consumption patterns in response to external signals (price or grid stability requirements).
Energy Management System (EMS): A software platform that monitors, controls and optimises the performance of generation, storage and loads within a microgrid.
References
- Multi-agent-based energy management of multiple grid-connected green buildings. Journal of Building Engineering (2023).
- Implementation of various control methods for the efficient energy management in hybrid microgrid system. Ain Shams Engineering Journal (2023).
- FCM Clustering‐ANFIS‐based PV and wind generation forecasting agent for energy management in a smart microgrid. The Journal of Engineering (2019).
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