Abstract
The integration of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems onto the existing grid provides a clean source of electrical power. However, PV systems can only produce power during the day and it is often intermittent. Utility companies must implement mitigation strategies that account for large ramp rates and high variability. The strategies include energy storage and the control of dispatchable resources that can react quickly to abrupt changes in demand and generation. The charging of electric water heater tanks can be controlled dynamically to help the grid match PV generation more closely. This paper reports on a simulation effort that evaluated this potential. The experiment implemented a dynamic setpoint controller that synchronized the charging of the electric water heater (EWH) tanks with the sun and used the storage to bridge periods when no solar PV was available. The simulation results were coupled with data from an actual feeder that supported 2,900 residential homes and had a 6 megawatt PV system. The approach successfully synchronized the EWH with the PV and on average maintained a comfortable temperature for the occupants.
Submitted Version
Published Version
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