Cost-optimal model predictive scheduling of home appliances

Abstract

A novel heuristic model-based optimal scheduling algorithm is proposed in this paper to operate heating and cooling type home appliances connected to smart grids where the price of the electrical energy is known in advance and temperature constraints are present. The properties and the use of the proposed algorithm are shown using a simple refrigerator model. The accuracy and the computational properties of the proposed method are compared to the schedule generated by the MPT toolbox. The algorithm works well with a relatively short prediction horizon using a fraction of the computing time needed for the MPT-based method. The robustness of the algorithm is also investigated with respect to the load of the refrigerator. It is shown that the designed schedule with an empty refrigerator is always suitable, yet not optimal, for any loaded case.