Development and implementation of a Multi-Agent Control System for the Rankine Cycler Laboratory Teaching System.

Abstract

One challenge faced by the engineering discipline in the near future is increased electric power demand coupled with greater efficiency requirements for power generation stations. Development of more robust control systems capable of supporting larger power plants with more adaptable control schemes is one solution to the problem. A Multi-Agent Control System is a type of coordinated control scheme capable of multiple parallel operations using several elements, or agents, communicating over a network. This thesis discusses the development and implementation of a Multi-Agent Control System on a small laboratory power generation plant.