Game-Theoretic Methods for the Smart Grid: An Overview of Microgrid Systems, Demand-Side Management, and Smart Grid Communications

TLDR

The smart grid is a large‑scale cyber‑physical system that integrates power, communications, control, and computing technologies, requiring robust mathematical tools to ensure efficient operation, and this article surveys how game theory can address these challenges. The article reviews how game theory can solve open problems in microgrids, demand‑side management, and communications, and discusses future opportunities for its adoption in the transition to smart grids. The authors compile state‑of‑the‑art contributions and systematically apply game‑theoretic models to key problems in microgrids, demand‑side management, and communications.

Abstract

The future smart grid is envisioned as a large scale cyberphysical system encompassing advanced power, communications, control, and computing technologies. To accommodate these technologies, it will have to build on solid mathematical tools that can ensure an efficient and robust operation of such heterogeneous and large-scale cyberphysical systems. In this context, this article is an overview on the potential of applying game theory for addressing relevant and timely open problems in three emerging areas that pertain to the smart grid: microgrid systems, demand-side management, and communications. In each area, the state-of-the-art contributions are gathered and a systematic treatment, using game theory, of some of the most relevant problems for future power systems is provided. Future opportunities for adopting game-theoretic methodologies in the transition from legacy systems toward smart and intelligent grids are also discussed. In a nutshell, this article provides a comprehensive account of the application of game theory in smart grid systems tailored to the interdisciplinary characteristics of these systems that integrate components from power systems, networking, communications, and control.