Coordinated Control and Parameter Optimization for the Energy Release Process of Large-Scale A-CAES

Abstract

Large-scale adiabatic compressed air energy storage (A-CAES) is essential for stabilizing power grids with high renewable energy penetration. However, the complex thermo-mechanical coupling in its multistage expansion and reheat systems poses significant challenges for dynamic control and operational safety. This study develops a coordinated control framework for the A-CAES energy release process. Based on control-oriented characteristic analysis revealing bidirectional power–temperature coupling mechanisms, a power setpoint feedforward decoupling strategy is proposed, reducing the stage-averaged temperature dynamic deviation of the four expander inlet temperatures from 7.74 K to 1.57 K during the upward power ramp. Furthermore, the gradient-based optimization (GBO) algorithm with the piecewise reset ITAE objective function is employed to optimize the PI controller parameters, yielding stage-averaged temperature dynamic deviations of 1.882 K and 2.249 K during AGC ramp-up and ramp-down, respectively, corresponding to reductions of 27% and 26% relative to empirical tuning. Numerical simulations of load rejection and three-phase short-circuit faults indicate the system’s dynamic stability and safety margins under the considered extreme conditions. This work provides model-based technical support for a 300 MW-class A-CAES demonstration project.