Model Predictive Control Enabling Flexible Operation of Data Centers

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Einleitung (Introduction)
• Grundlagen (Fundamentals)
  • Modellprädiktive Regelung (Model Predictive Control)
  • Ancillary Service (Ancillary Service)
  • Demand Response (Demand Response)
  • Rechenzentren (Data Centers)
  • Thermal Modeling
• Systemmodell (System Model)
  • Modell des Rechenzentrums (Data Center Model)
  • Modell des Energiesystems (Energy System Model)
• Modellprädiktive Regelung für Rechenzentren (Model Predictive Control for Data Centers)
  • Zielsetzung und Entwurf (Objective and Design)
  • Implementierung und Validierung (Implementation and Validation)
  • Anwendungsbeispiele (Application Examples)
• Zusammenfassung und Ausblick (Summary and Outlook)

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This master thesis aims to investigate the potential of data centers (DCs) as a Demand Response (DR) resource for providing Ancillary Services (AS) in the smart grid. The focus is on developing a Model Predictive Control (MPC) based scheduling algorithm to enable flexible operation of DCs by adjusting their power demand in response to grid requirements.

• Exploring the potential of DCs as DR resources for AS provision.
• Developing an MPC-based scheduling algorithm for flexible DC operation.
• Analyzing the interaction between DC components and their influence on operational flexibility.
• Evaluating the robustness and performance of the proposed MPC strategy through numerical simulations.
• Discussing the impact of the developed approach on the energy efficiency of DCs.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Einleitung (Introduction): This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the research context, highlighting the challenges posed by increasing renewable energy integration and the potential role of DCs in providing AS. It introduces the concept of DR and the significance of flexible DC operation.
• Grundlagen (Fundamentals): This chapter delves into the theoretical foundations of key concepts relevant to the research, including MPC, AS, DR, DC architecture, and thermal modeling. It discusses the principles and methodologies associated with these concepts, laying the groundwork for the subsequent chapters.
• Systemmodell (System Model): This chapter details the modeling aspects of the research, outlining the development of models for the DC and the energy system. It describes the components considered in the models, their interactions, and the parameters used for simulation purposes.
• Modellprädiktive Regelung für Rechenzentren (Model Predictive Control for Data Centers): This chapter presents the core of the thesis, focusing on the development and implementation of the MPC-based scheduling algorithm. It explains the algorithm's design, control objectives, and the optimization strategies employed to achieve flexible DC operation.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This thesis focuses on the utilization of Data Centers (DCs) as Demand Response (DR) resources to provide Ancillary Services (AS) in the smart grid. The research utilizes Model Predictive Control (MPC) as a tool to enable flexible operation of DCs. Key aspects explored include thermal modeling, deferrable workloads, Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), ARIMA prediction, regulation commands, and load following.