Scalable Power Dispatch Automation Methods Based on Artificial Intelligence in Distributed Energy Systems

Authors

  • Zhaoyuan Yin Automation Section, Guangxi Power Grid Company Limited, Nanning, 530000, Guangxi, China
  • Xiongbao Zhang Automation Section, Guangxi Power Grid Company Limited, Nanning, 530000, Guangxi, China
  • Wanhe Luo Marketing and Distribution Command Center, Shanglin Power Supply Bureau, Guangxi Power Grid Company Limited, Nanning, Nanning, 530500, Guangxi, China
  • Shidi Ruan Automation Section, Guangxi Power Grid Company Limited, Nanning, 530000, Guangxi, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13052/dgaej2156-3306.41310

Keywords:

DER, power dispatch automation, deep reinforcement learning, scalability, GNN

Abstract

With the high penetration of distributed energy resources (DERs), the strong uncertainty of their output and the complex interaction of network topology pose severe challenges to the real-time performance, scalability, and intelligence level of dispatching methods. This paper proposes a hierarchical distributed collaborative intelligent dispatching architecture based on deep reinforcement learning (DRL) and graph neural networks (GNNs). This architecture adopts a two-layer design of “regional agent-edge controller.” The upper-layer regional agent uses GNN to process the global power flow state and generate node marginal price signals; the lower-layer edge controllers act as independent DRL agents, making autonomous decisions based on local observations and price signals. Through a hybrid mechanism of centralized training and distributed execution, collaborative learning and plug-and-play expansion of the system are achieved. This method significantly reduces dispatch costs when dealing with uncertainty, achieving a high photovoltaic grid integration rate of up to 100%, and controlling the maximum net power deviation between day-ahead planning and real-time operation to within 0.35 MW. Even when the system is expanded to 500 DER units, the online decision-making time remains at 7.5 milliseconds, and communication overhead only slowly increases to 35.0 KB, demonstrating its significant effectiveness in improving system resilience, operational economy, and scalability.

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Author Biographies

Zhaoyuan Yin, Automation Section, Guangxi Power Grid Company Limited, Nanning, 530000, Guangxi, China

Zhaoyuan Yin was born in China in 1997. He graduated from Monash University, Australia in 2022 and obtained a Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) degree. Currently, he works as an engineer at Guangxi Power Grid Co., Ltd., China, with his main research directions focusing on dispatching automation digital technology.

Xiongbao Zhang, Automation Section, Guangxi Power Grid Company Limited, Nanning, 530000, Guangxi, China

Xiongbao Zhang was born in Yulin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, P.R. China in 1990. He graduated from Guangxi University, China in 2017 and obtained a Master of Science in Engineering (M.S.E.) degree. Currently, he works as an engineer at Guangxi Power Grid Co., Ltd., China, with his main research directions focusing on dispatching automation digital technology and cyber security.

Wanhe Luo, Marketing and Distribution Command Center, Shanglin Power Supply Bureau, Guangxi Power Grid Company Limited, Nanning, Nanning, 530500, Guangxi, China

Wanhe Luo was born in Huizhou, Guangdong Province, China in 1996. He graduated from Guangxi University with a bachelor’s degree. Currently, he works at the Marketing and Distribution Command Center of Nanning Shanglin Power Supply Bureau, Guangxi Power Grid Co., Ltd. His main research focus is distribution network automation.

Shidi Ruan, Automation Section, Guangxi Power Grid Company Limited, Nanning, 530000, Guangxi, China

Shidi Ruan was born in Nanning, Guangxi, P.R. China, in 1989. She received the Master degree from North China Electric Power University, P.R. China. Now, she works in Guangxi Power Grid Power Dispatching and Control Center. Her research interests include power dispatching automation

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Published

2026-06-04

How to Cite

Yin, Z. ., Zhang, X. ., Luo, W. ., & Ruan, S. . (2026). Scalable Power Dispatch Automation Methods Based on Artificial Intelligence in Distributed Energy Systems. Distributed Generation &Amp; Alternative Energy Journal, 41(03), 791–814. https://doi.org/10.13052/dgaej2156-3306.41310

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Articles