Dr Paul Trodden
School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Senior Lecturer
Theme Lead for Control
p.trodden@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 5679
+44 114 222 5679
Amy Johnson Building
Full contact details
Dr Paul Trodden
School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Amy Johnson Building
Portobello Street
Sheffield
S1 3JD
School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Amy Johnson Building
Portobello Street
Sheffield
S1 3JD
- Profile
-
I studied Engineering Science as an undergraduate at the University of Oxford, graduating in 2003. After a short spell in industry, working as a Systems Engineer for BAE Systems, I studied for a PhD in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Bristol, graduating in 2009. The title of my PhD thesis was Robust distributed control for constrained linear systems.
After Bristol, I joined the School of Mathematics at the University of Edinburgh, where I worked on problems related to optimization in electrical power systems.
Since 2012 I have been with the University of Sheffield, first as a Lecturer (2012–2021) and then as a Senior Lecturer (2022–).
My research interests lie in analysing and designing controllers for dynamic systems that are subject to constraints; I have particular interest and expertise in Model Predictive Control (MPC). I am interested in applications of control and optimization to problems in aerospace and power systems.
- Qualifications
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- PhD (Aerospace Engineering), University of Bristol, 2009.
- MEng (Engineering Science), University of Oxford, 2003.
- Research interests
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Model predictive control
My research aims to develop novel theory and algorithms for model predictive control (MPC). MPC is an advanced control technique that uses online optimization to provide optimal but safe control inputs for a system whose variables (inputs, states and outputs) are subject to physical or operational limits. I am interested in several challenging aspects and instances of this problem, including distributed MPC for large-scale systems, adaptive and robust MPC for uncertain and time-varying systems, and networked MPC for systems that communicate with their controllers over imperfect channels. My interest is in developing new theory and algorithms for MPC, with focus on developing controllers that are implementable (in terms of design simplicity and computational tractability) yet achieve desirable guarantees (e.g. of fundamental properties such as stability and constraint satisfaction).
Invariant set theory and computation
My research in this area involves developing theory and algorithms for the characterization and computation of invariant sets for uncertain systems. Invariant sets describes regions of a systems state space where safe and stable operation is guaranteed. These sets play an important and fundamental role in the analysis and design of advanced control systems.
Applications of control and optimization
Power systems and smart grids
My current research in this area applies predictive control theory and efficient optimization algorithms to control and planning problems in smart grids and power networks. I have published research on problems including optimal power flow (OPF), economic dispatch, load-frequency control, and controlled islanding for the prevention of blackouts.
Aerospace
I have a long standing interest in control and optimization for spacecraft, e.g. trajectory optimization, rendezvous and docking. I provide control research leadership to the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre in Control, Monitoring and Systems Engineering, where our current research involves developing advanced control laws for the next generation of large civil gas turbine engines, and hybrid electric power plant.
- Publications
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Journal articles
- Equi-normalized robust positively invariant sets for linear difference inclusions. Automatica, 171. View this article in WRRO
- A modified synchronverter for a weak grid with virtual power circles‐based PQ decoupling scheme. IET Renewable Power Generation. View this article in WRRO
- Dynamic tube control for DC microgrids. IEEE Control Systems Letters. View this article in WRRO
- Robust two-layer control of DC microgrids with fluctuating constant power load demand. IEEE Transactions on Control of Network Systems, 11(1), 427-438. View this article in WRRO
- A bound on the existence of the maximum jointly invariant set of input-coupled systems. IEEE Control Systems Letters, 7, 2293-2298. View this article in WRRO
- Robust coalitional model predictive control with plug-and-play capabilities. Automatica, 153. View this article in WRRO
- Fast tube model predictive control for driverless cars using linear data-driven models. IEEE Transactions on Control Systems Technology, 31(3), 1395-1410. View this article in WRRO
- Simultaneous and Sequential Control Design for Discrete-Time Switched Linear Systems Using Semi-Definite Programming. IEEE Control Systems Letters, 5(4), 1393-1398. View this article in WRRO
- Coalitional predictive control: Consensus-based coalition forming with robust regulation. Automatica, 125, 109380-109380. View this article in WRRO
- Supervised-distributed control with joint performance and communication optimisation. International Journal of Control, 1-12. View this article in WRRO
- Stabilizing predictive control with persistence of excitation for constrained linear systems. Systems & Control Letters, 126, 58-66. View this article in WRRO
- Switching Tube-Based MPC: Characterization of Minimum Dwell-Time for Feasible and Robustly Stable Switching. IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 64(10), 4345-4352. View this article in WRRO
- Model Predictive Control of Linear Systems With Preview Information: Feasibility, Stability, and Inherent Robustness. IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 64(9), 3831-3838. View this article in WRRO
- Low-Complexity Distributed Predictive Automatic Generation Control with Guaranteed Properties. IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, 8(6), 3045-3054. View this article in WRRO
- Distributed predictive control with minimization of mutual disturbances. Automatica, 77, 31-43. View this article in WRRO
- A One-Step Approach to Computing a Polytopic Robust Positively Invariant Set. IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 61(12), 4100-4105. View this article in WRRO
- Feasible parallel-update distributed MPC for uncertain linear systems sharing convex constraints. Systems & Control Letters, 74, 98-107. View this article in WRRO
- Optimization-Based Islanding of Power Networks Using Piecewise Linear AC Power Flow. IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, 29(3), 1212-1220.
- Local Solutions of the Optimal Power Flow Problem. IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, 28(4), 4780-4788. View this article in WRRO
- Cooperative distributed MPC of linear systems with coupled constraints. Automatica, 49(2), 479-487. View this article in WRRO
- MILP formulation for controlled islanding of power networks. International Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems, 45(1), 501-508. View this article in WRRO
- Model predictive control system design and implementation for spacecraft rendezvous. Control Engineering Practice, 20(7), 695-713. View this article in WRRO
- Distributed model predictive control of linear systems with persistent disturbances. International Journal of Control, 83(8), 1653-1663. View this article in WRRO
Chapters
- Controlled islanding as robust operator response under uncertainty In Kovacevic RM, Pflug GC & Vespucci MT (Ed.), Handbook of Risk Management in Energy Production and Trading (pp. 203-228). Springer
- Cooperative Tube-based Distributed MPC for Linear Uncertain Systems Coupled Via Constraints In Maestre Torreblanca JM & Negenborn RR (Ed.), Distributed Model Predictive Control Made Easy (pp. 57-72). Dordrecht: Springer.
Conference proceedings papers
- Stability of Nonlinear Model Predictive Control Under Consecutive Packet Losses. 2024 UKACC 14th International Conference on Control (CONTROL), 10 April 2024 - 12 April 2024.
- Structured Observer Synthesis via Static Output Feedback. 2024 UKACC 14th International Conference on Control (CONTROL), 10 April 2024 - 12 April 2024.
- Tube-based coalitional MPC with plug-and-play features. IFAC-PapersOnLine, Vol. 56(2) (pp 7704-7709)
- LMI-based Decentralized Load Frequency Control of a Hybrid Power System with a Virtual Synchronous Generator and Battery Storage. IFAC-PapersOnLine, Vol. 56(2) (pp 10910-10916)
- Feedback Optimizing MPC for Load Frequency Control and Economic Dispatch. IFAC-PapersOnLine, Vol. 56(2) (pp 10935-10940)
- A non-iterative approach to Linear Quadratic Static Output Feedback. IFAC-PapersOnLine, Vol. 56(2) (pp 9540-9545)
- Stability and the Separation Principle in Output-Feedback Stochastic MPC with Random Packet Losses. IFAC-PapersOnLine, Vol. 56(2) (pp 3818-3823)
- A low voltage ride through (LVRT) strategy using an active superconductor fault current limiter (SFCL) for a virtual synchronous generator (VSG) connected to a weak grid. 2023 IEEE PES Innovative Smart Grid Technologies Europe (ISGT EUROPE), 23 October 2023 - 26 October 2023.
- Can reference governors outperform tube-based predictive control?. 2023 European Control Conference (ECC), 13 June 2023 - 16 June 2023.
- Control of Isolated AC Microgrids with Constant Power Loads: A Set Invariance Approach. 2023 31st Mediterranean Conference on Control and Automation (MED), 26 June 2023 - 29 June 2023.
- Virtual power circle based PQ decoupling technique for a virtual synchronous generator connected to a weak grid. 2023 IEEE Belgrade PowerTech, 25 June 2023 - 29 June 2023.
- Data-Driven Characterisation of Distribution Systems for Modelling and Control Applications. 2022 International Conference on Smart Energy Systems and Technologies (SEST), 5 September 2022 - 7 September 2022.
- A Neural Network-based Online Estimation of Stochastic Inertia in a Power System. 2022 IEEE PES/IAS PowerAfrica, 22 August 2022 - 26 August 2022.
- Feedback-Optimizing Model Predictive Control for Constrained Linear Systems. Proceedings of the 7th IFAC Conference on Nonlinear Model Predictive Control (NMPC 21), 11 July 2021 - 14 July 2021.
- Feedback optimizing linear quadratic control. Proceedings of the 2021 American Control Conference (ACC 2021) (pp 3800-3805), 24 May 2021 - 28 May 2021.
- Simultaneous and Sequential Control Design for Discrete-Time Switched Linear Systems Using Semi-Definite Programming. 2021 American Control Conference (ACC), 25 May 2021 - 28 May 2021.
- Actuation attacks on constrained linear systems: A set-theoretic analysis. IFAC-PapersOnLine, Vol. 53(2) (pp 6963-6968)
- On feasible sets for coalitional MPC. 2019 IEEE 58th Conference on Decision and Control (CDC), 11 December 2019 - 13 December 2019.
- Low-complexity robust decentralized MPC: a foundational algorithm for constrained coalitional control. 2019 IEEE 58th Conference on Decision and Control (CDC), 11 December 2019 - 13 December 2019. View this article in WRRO
- Model Predictive Load Frequency Control of a Deregulated Power System with Battery Energy Storage. 2019 IEEE Conference on Control Technology and Applications (CCTA), 19 August 2019 - 21 August 2019.
- Reinforcement learning for condition-based control of gas turbine engines. 2019 18th European Control Conference (ECC), 25 June 2019 - 28 June 2019. View this article in WRRO
- A Distributed Model Predictive Control Scheme with Robustness Against Noncompliant Controllers. 2018 IEEE Conference on Decision and Control (CDC), 17 December 2018 - 19 December 2018. View this article in WRRO
- Learning MPC: System stability and convergent identification under bounded modelling error. Proceedings of the 2018 Australian & New Zealand Control Conference (ANZCC 2018), 7 December 2018 - 8 December 2018.
- Life lessons from and for distributed MPC – Part 2: Choice of decision makers. IFAC-PapersOnLine, Vol. 51(30) (pp 107-111), 13 September 2018 - 15 September 2018. View this article in WRRO
- Life lessons from and for distributed MPC – Part 1: Dynamics of cooperation. IFAC-PapersOnLine, Vol. 51(30) (pp 101-106), 13 September 2018 - 15 September 2018. View this article in WRRO
- Nested distributed MPC. Proceedings of the IFAC 2017 World Congress, 9 July 2017 - 14 July 2017. View this article in WRRO
- Distributed MPC: Guaranteeing Global Stability from Locally Designed Tubes. Proceedings of the IFAC 2017 World Congress, Vol. 50(1) (pp 11829-11834), 9 July 2017 - 14 July 2017. View this article in WRRO
- Weak Interactions Based System Partitioning Using Integer Linear Programming. Proceedings of the IFAC 2017 World Congress View this article in WRRO
- Distributed model predictive load frequency control of a deregulated power system. Proceedings of the 2016 UKACC 11th International Conference on Control (CONTROL). Belfast, 31 August 2016 - 2 September 2016.
- Distributed model predictive control using a chain of tubes. Proceedings of the 2016 UKACC 11th International Conference on Control (CONTROL). Belfast, 31 August 2016 - 2 September 2016.
- Output Feedback Quasi-Distributed MPC for Linear Systems Coupled via Dynamics and Constraints. Proceedings of the 2016 UKACC 11th International Conference on Control (CONTROL). Belfast, 31 August 2016 - 2 September 2016.
- Persistently Exciting Tube MPC. American Control Conference (ACC), 2016. Boston MA, 6 July 2016 - 8 November 2016. View this article in WRRO
- Distributed MPC with Minimization of Mutual Disturbance Sets. American Control Conference (ACC), 2016. Boston MA, 6 July 2016 - 8 July 2016.
- Learning of cooperative behaviour in robot populations. Proceedings of the 2016 European Control Conference (ECC) (pp 184-189), 29 June 2016 - 1 July 2016.
- Generalized model for load frequency control studies in a deregulated environment. Proceedings of the 2016 European Control Conference (ECC). Aalborg, 29 June 2016 - 1 July 2016.
- Model predictive load frequency control of a two-area deregulated power system. Proceedings of the 2015 European Control Conference (ECC) (pp 1044-1049). Linz, 15 July 2015 - 17 July 2015.
- An interactive methodology to explore optimization scenarios of a self-reconfigurable factory. IEEE International Conference on Emerging Technologies and Factory Automation, ETFA, Vol. 2015-October
- A Survey of Techniques and Opportunities in Power System Automatic Generation Control. Proceedings of the 2014 UKACC 10th International Conference on Control (CONTROL 2014). Loughborough, 9 July 2014 - 11 July 2014.
- Highly flexible self-reconfigurable systems for rapid layout formation to offer manufacturing services. Proceedings - 2013 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, SMC 2013 (pp 4819-4824)
- MILP islanding of power networks by bus splitting. IEEE Power and Energy Society General Meeting
- Model predictive control application to spacecraft rendezvous in Mars sample return scenario. European Conference for Aero-Space Sciences (EUCASS). St Petersburg, 4 July 2011 - 8 July 2011.
- Distributed model predictive control as a game with coupled constraints. Proceedings of the 2009 European Control Conference (ECC) (pp 2996-3001). Budapest, 23 August 2009 - 26 August 2009.
- Adaptive cooperation in robust distributed model predictive control. Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Control Applications (pp 896-901)
- Multi-vehicle cooperative search using distributed model predictive control. AIAA Guidance, Navigation and Control Conference and Exhibit
- Robust distributed model predictive control with cooperation. Proceedings of the 2007 European Control Conference (ECC) (pp 2172-2178). Kos, Greece, 2 July 2007 - 5 July 2007.
- Robust distributed model predictive control using Tubes. Proceedings of the American Control Conference, Vol. 2006 (pp 2034-2039)
- Model predictive control application to spacecraft rendezvous in Mars sample return scenario. 4th European Conference for AeroSpace Sciences (EUCASS). St Petersburg, Russia, 4 July 2010 - 8 July 2010.
Reports
- Local solutions of the optimal power flow problem, ERGO preprint 13-018, School of Mathematics, University of Edinburgh
- MILP islanding of power networks by bus splitting, ERGO preprint 11-016, School of Mathematics, University of Edinburgh
- Local solutions of optimal power flow, ERGO preprint 11-017, School of Mathematics, University of Edinburgh
- MILP formulation for islanding of power networks, ERGO preprint 11-015, School of Mathematics, University of Edinburgh
Other
Preprints
- Coalitional predictive control: consensus-based coalition forming with
robust regulation, arXiv.
- Actuation attacks on constrained linear systems: a set-theoretic
analysis, arXiv.
- Model predictive control of linear systems with preview information:
feasibility, stability and inherent robustness, arXiv.
- Stabilizing predictive control with persistence of excitation for
constrained linear systems, arXiv.
- Weak Interactions Based System Partitioning Using Integer Linear
Programming, arXiv.
- Distributed MPC: Guaranteeing Global Stabilizability from Locally
Designed Tubes, arXiv.
- Nested Distributed Model Predictive Control, arXiv.
- Distributed Model Predictive Control Using a Chain of Tubes, arXiv.
- Persistently Exciting Tube MPC, arXiv.
- A One-step Approach to Computing a Polytopic Robust Positively Invariant
Set, arXiv.
- Optimization-based Islanding of Power Networks using Piecewise Linear AC
Power Flow, arXiv.
- Equi-normalized robust positively invariant sets for linear difference inclusions. Automatica, 171. View this article in WRRO
- Research group
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Control Theory
- Teaching activities
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- ACS6116 - Advanced Control
- ACS342 - Feedback Systems Design
- Professional activities and memberships
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- Associate Editor, IET Smart Grid
- Member, EPSRC Peer Review Associate College
- Member, IEEE Control Systems Society and IEEE Power & Energy Society
- Member, IFAC Technical Committee 2.3 (Non-linear Control Systems)
- Member, IEEE CSS Technical Committee on Smart Grids
- Outstanding reviewer, Automatica, 2014/15 and 2016/17
- Outstanding reviewer, IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, 2016