Partitioning techniques for non-centralized predictive control: A systematic review and novel theoretical insights

Alessandro Riccardi; Luca Laurenti; Bart De Schutter

Home/Archive/arXiv

arXiv · 2509.11470

Partitioning techniques for non-centralized predictive control: A systematic review and novel theoretical insights

Alessandro Riccardi·Luca Laurenti·Bart De Schutter

View original source ↗Read source document ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

The partitioning problem is of central relevance for designing and implementing non-centralized Model Predictive Control (MPC) strategies for large-scale systems. These control approaches include decentralized MPC, distributed MPC, hierarchical MPC, and coalitional MPC. Partitioning a system for the application of non-centralized MPC consists of finding the best definition of the subsystems, and their allocation into groups for the definition of local controllers, to maximize the relevant performance indicators. The present survey proposes a novel systematization of the partitioning approaches in the literature in five main classes: optimization-based, algorithmic, community-detection-based, game-theoretic-oriented, and heuristic approaches. A unified graph-theoretical formalism, a mathematical re-formulation of the problem in terms of mixed-integer programming, the novel concepts of predictive partitioning and multi-topological representations, and a methodological formulation of quality metrics are developed to support the classification and further developments of the field. We analyze the different classes of partitioning techniques, and we present an overview of their strengths and limitations, which include a technical discussion about the different approaches. Representative case studies are discussed to illustrate the application of partitioning techniques for non-centralized MPC in various sectors, including power systems, water networks, wind farms, chemical processes, transportation systems, communication networks, industrial automation, smart buildings, and cyber-physical systems. An outlook of future challenges completes the survey.

Explore related subjects

eess.SY cs.SY

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeX RIS

Alessandro Riccardi, Luca Laurenti, Bart De Schutter. 2025-09-14. Partitioning techniques for non-centralized predictive control: A systematic review and novel theoretical insights. https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.11470

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

arXiv2026

Observability and parameter estimation of a generic model for aggregated distributed energy resources

We propose a novel framework for estimating the parameters of an aggregated distributed energy resources (DER A) model. First, we introduce a rigorous method to determine whether all model parameters are estimable. When they are not, our approach identifies the subset of parameters that can be estimated. The proposed framework offers new insights into the number and specific parameters that can be reliably estimated based on commonly available measurements. It also highlights the limitations of calibrating such models. Second, we introduce a Kalman filtering method to calibrate the DER A model. Since we account for nonlinear effects such as saturation and deadbands, we develop a specific mechanism to handle smoothing functions within the Kalman filter. Specifically, we consider the extended and the unscented Kalman filter. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework on a modified IEEE 34-node distribution feeder with inverter- based resources. Our findings align with the North American Electric Reliability Corporation's parameterization guideline and underscore the importance of model calibration in accurately capturing the collective dynamics of distributed energy resources installed on distribution systems.

eess.SY↗

arXiv2026

Salted Fisher Information for Hybrid Systems

Discrete events change how parameter-influence propagates in hybrid systems. Prevailing Fisher information for- mulations assume that sensitivities evolve smoothly according to continuous-time variational equations and therefore neglect the sensitivity updates induced by discrete events. This paper derives a Fisher information matrix formulation compatible with hybrid systems. To do so, we use the saltation matrix, which encodes the first-order transformation of sensitivities induced by discrete events. We call the resulting formulation the salted Fisher information matrix (SFIM). The proposed framework unifies continuous information accumulation during flows with discrete updates at event times. We also show that hybrid persistence of excitation is sufficient for the SFIM to be positive definite

eess.SY↗

arXiv2026

Min-Max Grassmannian Optimization for Online Subspace Tracking

We propose GeRoST (Geometrically Robust Subspace Tracking), an online subspace tracking algorithm that models uncertainty in a subspace using a Grassmannian ball. We derive an exact scalar dual for the worst-case subspace problem, establish conditions for a unique worst-case subspace and a Riemannian gradient, and characterize the minimum radius needed to cover a dimensional extension of the target subspace. Each update uses either a spectral direction computed in a reduced subspace or the gradient of the window reconstruction loss. Our numerical experiments show that GeRoST achieves lower mean post-fault prediction error than GREAT in system identification. In video separation, it achieves higher precision and a better precision--recall balance, as measured by the F$_1$ score, than both GREAT and GRASTA at the reported thresholds, with lower recall and longer runtime.

eess.SY↗