A Robust Multi-Agent Based Hierarchical Control Strategy for SoC Balancing and Power Management in DC Shipboard Microgrids

Rashid Iqbal; Yancheng Liu; Almas Arshad; Adil Ali Raja; A. K. Aljahdali; Noor Aziz; Qinjin Zhang

doi:10.1002/bte2.70075

Battery Energy ›› 2026, Vol. 5 ›› Issue (1) :e70075 DOI: 10.1002/bte2.70075

RESEARCH ARTICLE

A Robust Multi-Agent Based Hierarchical Control Strategy for SoC Balancing and Power Management in DC Shipboard Microgrids

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Abstract

This paper proposes a novel State of Charge (SoC)-based hierarchical control strategy to ensure accurate and rapid current sharing, effective power flow management, and stable bus voltage regulation in DC shipboard microgrids (DC SMGs). The proposed control architecture introduces a multi-layered scheme encompassing energy storage units (ESUs), photovoltaic (PV) generation, and load-side coordination to achieve power balance and facilitate autonomous microgrid operation. At its core, the adaptive SoC-based current sharing (ASCS) layer ensures SoC balancing, precise load current distribution, and mitigation of line impedance effects. Complementing this, the average voltage drop restoration (AVDR) layer maintains stable and reasonable bus voltage restoration. To enhance coordination while minimizing communication overhead, a multi-agent consensus (MAC) algorithm is integrated, enabling distributed evaluation of global variables. The hierarchical framework accelerates SoC convergence, addresses balancing challenges, and improves system resilience. A comprehensive stability analysis is conducted to validate the robustness of the proposed method. Additionally, the control strategy is rigorously tested through MATLAB/Simulink simulations and validated on a Star Sim-based hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) platform, demonstrating the scheme's effectiveness, scalability, and suitability for advanced shipboard power systems.

Keywords

hierarchical control / photovoltaic (PV) generation / power management / state of charge / storage system

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Rashid Iqbal, Yancheng Liu, Almas Arshad, Adil Ali Raja, A. K. Aljahdali, Noor Aziz, Qinjin Zhang. A Robust Multi-Agent Based Hierarchical Control Strategy for SoC Balancing and Power Management in DC Shipboard Microgrids. Battery Energy, 2026, 5(1): e70075 DOI:10.1002/bte2.70075

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