Efficient Desynchronization of Thermostatically Controlled Loads

Abstract

This paper considers demand side management in smart power grid systems containing significant numbers of thermostatically controlled loads such as air conditioning systems, heat pumps, etc. Recent studies have shown that the overall power consumption of such systems can be regulated up and down centrally by broadcasting small setpoint change commands without significantly impacting consumer comfort. However, sudden simultaneous setpoint changes induce undesirable power consumption oscillations due to sudden synchronization of the on/off cycles of the individual units. In this paper, we present a novel algorithm for counter-acting these unwanted oscillations, which requires neither central management of the individual units nor communication between units. We present a formal proof of convergence of homogeneous populations to desynchronized status, as well as simulations that indicate that the algorithm is able to effectively dampen power consumption oscillations for both homogeneous and heterogeneous populations of thermostatically controlled loads.