No Arabic abstract
In this paper, a method to evaluate the flexibility of aggregates of domestic electric water heaters is proposed and applied to the Italian case. Flexibility is defined as the capability of the aggregate to vary its power demand for a given time interval. The evaluation method consists of a Monte Carlo analysis, that uses the thermal model of electric water heaters and a proper elaboration of the external inputs, such as ambient and cold water temperatures, and hot water demand. The case of large aggregates defined along the Italian territory has been studied showing the dependence of flexibility on seasons and on time.
This paper proposes a control method for allowing aggregates of thermostatically controlled loads to provide synthetic inertia and primary frequency regulation services to the grid. The proposed control framework is fully distributed and basically consists in the modification of the thermostat logic as a function of the grid frequency. Three strategies are considered: in the first one, the load aggregate provides synthetic inertia by varying its active power demand proportionally to the frequency rate of change; in the second one, the load aggregate provides primary frequency regulation by varying its power demand proportionally to frequency; in the third one, the two services are combined. The performances of the proposed control solutions are analyzed in the forecasted scenario of the electric power system of Sardinia in 2030, characterized by a huge installation of wind and photovoltaic generation and no coil and combustible oil power plants. The considered load aggregate is composed by domestic refrigerators and water heaters. Results prove the effectiveness of the proposed approach and show that, in the particular case of refrigerators and water heaters, the contribution to the frequency regulation is more significant in the case of positive frequency variations. Finally, the correlation between the regulation performances and the level of penetration of the load aggregate with respect to the system total load is evaluated.
Non-generating resources such as thermostatically controlled loads (TCLs) can arbitrage energy prices and provide balancing reserves when aggregated due to their thermal energy storage capacity. Based on a performed survey of Swedish single- and two-family dwellings with electric heating, this paper quantifies the potential of TCLs to provide reserves to the power system in Sweden. To this end, dwellings with heat pumps and direct electric heaters are modeled as thermal energy storage equivalents that can be included in a linear two-stage problem formulation. We approach the operational flexibility of the TCLs by modeling a risk-averse aggregator that controls decentralized TCLs and aims to maximize its own profit. The results show a potential of 2 GW/0.1Hz averaged over a year, and up to 6.4 GW/0.1Hz peak capacity. Based on a sensitivity analysis we derive policy implications regarding market timing and activation signal.
This paper defines a security injection region (SIR) to guarantee reliable operation of water distribution systems (WDS) under extreme conditions. The model of WDSs is highly nonlinear and nonconvex. Understanding the accurate SIRs of WDSs involves the analysis of nonlinear constraints, which is computationally expensive. To reduce the computational burden, this paper first investigates the convexity of the SIR of WDSs under certain conditions. Then, an algorithm based on a monotone inner polytope sequence is proposed to effectively and accurately determine these SIRs. The proposed algorithm estimates a sequence of inner polytopes that converge to the whole convex region. Each polytope adds a new area to the SIR. The algorithm is validated on two different WDSs, and the conclusion is drawn. The computational study shows this method is applicable and fast for both systems.
Demand flexibility is increasingly important for power grids. Careful coordination of thermostatically controlled loads (TCLs) can modulate energy demand, decrease operating costs, and increase grid resiliency. We propose a novel distributed control framework for the Coordination Of HeterOgeneous Residential Thermostatically controlled loads (COHORT). COHORT is a practical, scalable, and versatile solution that coordinates a population of TCLs to jointly optimize a grid-level objective, while satisfying each TCLs end-use requirements and operational constraints. To achieve that, we decompose the grid-scale problem into subproblems and coordinate their solutions to find the global optimum using the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM). The TCLs local problems are distributed to and computed in parallel at each TCL, making COHORT highly scalable and privacy-preserving. While each TCL poses combinatorial and non-convex constraints, we characterize these constraints as a convex set through relaxation, thereby making COHORT computationally viable over long planning horizons. After coordination, each TCL is responsible for its own control and tracks the agreed-upon power trajectory with its preferred strategy. In this work, we translate continuous power back to discrete on/off actuation, using pulse width modulation. COHORT is generalizable to a wide range of grid objectives, which we demonstrate through three distinct use cases: generation following, minimizing ramping, and peak load curtailment. In a notable experiment, we validated our approach through a hardware-in-the-loop simulation, including a real-world air conditioner (AC) controlled via a smart thermostat, and simulated instances of ACs modeled after real-world data traces. During the 15-day experimental period, COHORT reduced daily peak loads by an average of 12.5% and maintained comfortable temperatures.
The deployment of distributed photovoltaics (PV) in low-voltage networks may cause technical issues such as voltage rises, line ampacity violations, and transformer overloading for distribution system operators (DSOs). These problems may induce high grid reinforcement costs. In this work, we assume the DSO can control each prosumers battery and PV system. Under such assumptions, we evaluate the cost of providing flexibility and compare it with grid reinforcement costs. Our results highlight that using distributed flexibility is more profitable than reinforcing a low-voltage network until the PV generation covers 145% of the network annual energy demand.