Integrating a decision support system with smart grid infrastructures and ICT solutions towards energy cost reduction: An action plan to optimally schedule the operation of heating and electricity systems

Abstract

Smart grid technology has recently attracted a lot of attention since it enables the effective use of widespread energy sources and supports that way actions towards energy optimization and cost reduction. The benefits of adopting and promoting such a technology becomes even more promising given the advances in the field of renewable energy and Information and Communications Technology (ICT), which allow managing the energy sources available according to the respective demand in a smart and environmental friendly way. The main scope of this paper is to present an action plan in order to schedule the operation of heating and electricity systems towards energy cost optimization by taking advantage of smart grid and ICT infrastructures. The action plan, which has been developed to operate within a Decision Support System, is currently tested in the University Campus of Savona (Italy) in order to indicate the usefulness of the solution in a real life application.