Modern power systems control centers:From EMS to AEMS

Traditional energy management system (EMS) plays an indispensable role in control centers of electric power systems. However, it also has several shortcomings, including lack of real-time closed-loop control, unreliable functional modules, and difficult to exchange data. The electric hybrid control theory (EHCT) has been proposed as an innovative and effective means to overcome these shortcomings. This paper argues that the EHCT provides a theoretical foundation for the advanced energy management system (AEMS) that can achieve multi-objective, near-optimal, and closed-loop control of electric power grids. This paper also discusses the significance for control centers to evolve from the traditional EMS to the AEMS. Furthermore, this paper points out that the traditional EMS can be considered as an integral part of the AEMS and that the AEMS can be built upon the traditional EMS. Thus, the resources that are currently available can be fully utilized to achieve near-optimal and closed-loop control of power system operations.