Flexibility Management with Virtual Batteries of Thermostatically Controlled Loads: Real-Time Control System and Potential in Spain

Alejandro Martín-Crespo,Enrique Baeyens,Sergio Saludes-Rodil

doi:10.3390/en14061711

Alejandro Martín-Crespo, Enrique Baeyens + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/en14061711

Copy DOI

Journal: Energies	Publication Date: Mar 19, 2021
Citations: 36	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Centro Tecnológico del Mar, University of Valladolid

Abstract

Load flexibility management is a promising approach to face the problem of balancing generation and demand in electrical grids. This problem is becoming increasingly difficult due to the variability of renewable energies. Thermostatically-controlled loads can be aggregated and managed by a virtual battery, and they provide a cost-effective and efficient alternative to physical storage systems to mitigate the inherent variability of renewable energy sources. However virtual batteries require that an accurate control system is capable of tracking frequency regulation signals with minimal error. A real-time control system allowing virtual batteries to accurately track frequency or power signals is developed. The performance of this controller is validated for a virtual battery composed of 1000 thermostatically-controlled loads. Using virtual batteries equipped with the developed controller, a study focused on residential thermostatically-controlled loads in Spain is performed. The results of the study quantify the potential of this technology in a country with different climate areas and provides insight about the feasibility of virtual batteries as enablers of electrical systems with high levels of penetration of renewable energy sources.

Highlights

IntroductionA sustainable and environmentally-friendly electric system requires increasing the generation of energy coming from renewable sources, such as solar and wind energy
A sustainable and environmentally-friendly electric system requires increasing the generation of energy coming from renewable sources, such as solar and wind energy.The higher penetration of renewable energy sources in the electric system reduces emissions of greenhouse gases and pollutants
The study performed in this paper shows that taking advantage of flexibility management (FM) trough virtual batteries (VBs) clearly helps to achieve power regulation goals in Spain, especially in extreme situations

Summary

Introduction

A sustainable and environmentally-friendly electric system requires increasing the generation of energy coming from renewable sources, such as solar and wind energy. The higher penetration of renewable energy sources in the electric system reduces emissions of greenhouse gases and pollutants. This type of energy is uncertain and intermittent, and not completely predictable. The task of balancing electricity demand and generation is becoming more complicated. As the penetration of renewable energy sources grows, more advanced and efficient regulation strategies are required to balance the power of the system.

Results

Discussion

Conclusion