Moving Microgrid Hierarchical Control to an SDN-Based Kubernetes Cluster: A Framework for Reliable and Flexible Energy Distribution

Pérez, Ricardo; Rivera, Marco; Salgueiro, Yamisleydi; Baier, Carlos R.; Wheeler, Patrick

Abstract

Software Defined Networking (SDN) is a communication alternative to increase the scalability and resilience of microgrid hierarchical control. The common architecture has a centralized and monolithic topology, where the controller is highly susceptible to latency problems, resiliency, and scalability issues. This paper proposes a novel and intelligent control network to improve the performance of microgrid communications, solving the typical drawback of monolithic SDN controllers. The SDN controller’s functionalities are segregated into microservices groups and distributed through a bare-metal Kubernetes cluster. Results are presented from PLECS hardware in the loop simulation to validate the seamless transition between standard hierarchical control to the SDN networked microgrid. The microservices significantly impact the performance of the SDN controller, decreasing the latency by 10.76% compared with a monolithic architecture. Furthermore, the proposed approach demonstrates a 42.23% decrease in packet loss versus monolithic topologies and a 53.41% reduction in recovery time during failures. Combining Kubernetes with SDN microservices can eliminate the single point of failure in hierarchical control, improve application recovery time, and enhance containerization benefits, including security and portability. This proposal represents a reference framework for future edge computing and intelligent control approaches in networked microgrids.

Citation

Pérez, R., Rivera, M., Salgueiro, Y., Baier, C. R., & Wheeler, P. (2023). Moving Microgrid Hierarchical Control to an SDN-Based Kubernetes Cluster: A Framework for Reliable and Flexible Energy Distribution. Sensors, 23(7), Article 3395. https://doi.org/10.3390/s23073395

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 18, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Mar 23, 2023
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2023
• Deposit Date: May 24, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: May 24, 2023
• Journal: Sensors
• Electronic ISSN: 1424-8220
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 23
• Issue: 7
• Article Number: 3395
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/s23073395
• Keywords: Kubernetes; hierarchical control; microgrids; microservices; software defined networking
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/19010074
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/7/3395