This paper introduces an experimental platform (SYSLAB) for the research on advanced control and power system communication in distributed power systems and one of its components-an intelligent office building (PowerFlexHouse), which is used to investigate the technical potential for active load management. It also presents in detail how to implement a thermal model predictive controller (MPC) for the heaters' power consumption prediction in the PowerFlexHouse. It demonstrates that this MPC strategy can realize load shifting, and using good predictions in MPC-based control, a better matching of demand and supply can be achieved. With this demand side control study, it is expected that MPC strategy for active load management can dramatically raise energy efficiency and improve grid reliability, when there is a high penetration of intermittent energy resources in the power system.

Integration of the hydrogen sector into power systems via electrolyzers could greatly facilitate energy sustainability by producing green hydrogen, moreover, assist in reinforcing frequency stability based on optimal control of electrolyzers. In order to improve the frequency performance of the wind-dominated electricity-hydrogen systems (WEHS), this paper investigates how to analytically evaluate and implement the dynamic frequency regulation (DFR) supported by a grid-scale alkaline electrolyzer (AEL) plant. The DFR's potential of the AEL plant is released by an emulated power-frequency characteristic, and its contributions to improving system frequency response are also analytically evaluated from the aspects of transient, steady-state, and stability indicators. Furthermore, the DFR dependency on the frequency containment reserve provision and pre-contingency operating points of AELs are analytically clarified. A DFR-driven controller to coordinate multiple modules in the AEL plant is also designed in detail. In addition, the economic analysis is presented to evaluate the profitability of AELs providing frequency support. Cases of a simple WEHS and a modified IEEE 9-bus system integrated with grid-scale AEL plants during frequency contingencies are studied to validate the proposed DFR method, which can improve the system frequency response with smoother transients and lower steady-state deviation.