Demand side management in energy flexible residential buildings

Abstract

This research work aims to investigate the engineering challenges behind residential demand side management. In the general realm of Demand Side Management (DSM) several techniques are used in smart grids to modify the consumption patterns of end users of electricity over time. This study will primarily address how and what techniques may be implemented by the end domestic consumers of electricity to lower their demand during a time window set by the utility. The scope of this time window known as a Demand Response (DR) event aims to adjust the demand to guarantee the continuation and quality of electric supply and prevents grid overloads and potential blackouts. A simulation tool is developed that presents the applicability of an automated home energy management load prioritization algorithm that performs demand response at an appliance level. This tool is used to analyse DR potential for different residential dwelling models and presents realistic demand limits for such household models. A Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) test setup is also implemented to demonstrate the typical hardware required for a household to take part in such DR event schemes. This setup also serves as a testing platform from which real time data is extracted. Ultimately this work demonstrates the applicability of DR and its potential to residential customers.