Robust Event-Triggered Control with Fixed-Time Consensus for DC Microgrid Clusters Under Delays

For the purpose of improving the scalability, performance, and dependability of interconnected DC microgrid (MG) clusters, the Mixed Time-State Dependent Event-Triggered Consensus (MDETC) protocol is presented in this work. Utilizing the secondary control layer's saturation function, the suggested control framework combines a Fixed-Time Consensus method with a Modified Time-State Triggering Function (MTSTF) to provide robust voltage regulation and quick convergence. Optimization of Particle Swarms (PSO) is leveraged to optimize the initial control gains, ensuring efficient and precise current sharing among the distributed generators (DGs). Comprehensive MATLAB-based simulations validate the effectiveness of the proposed approach under diverse scenarios, including sudden load changes and communication delays. Results show that the MDETC protocol significantly reduces communication overhead—requiring fewer triggering instants—while maintaining stable bus voltages and balanced current sharing. Even when communication delays are introduced, the protocol sustains near-nominal voltage levels and equitable current distribution across the MG cluster. Compared to conventional event-triggered and time-triggered consensus methods, the proposed strategy demonstrates superior response times, minimized voltage tracking errors, and enhanced resilience to faults and plug-and-play operations. Consequently, this framework offers a practical and efficient solution for managing large-scale DC microgrid clusters with high reliability and minimal communication requirements.