Network architecture for demand response implementation in smart grid

Abstract

The most important function of a power system grid is to feed the demand at all times. However, power demand is very dynamic in nature, which is levying more and more stress on the network at peak load times. Also, power generation is limited, therefore to have a continuous power supply, the load has to be prioritized so that demand and generation equality can be maintained by slashing excess lower priority load for the time being. For the same, the demand response strategy has been utilized that offers lower electrical consumption when the power system network is overburdened. A multi-layered architecture is proposed for implementing demand response wherein the utility’s concern for maximum load balance as well as consumers’ concern of having a continuous supply of power to priority load is catered at the same time. Thus, this paper is about defining the priority of load and designing of information payload about demand, which would be communicated to the server at a load dispatch center from load point switches and vice versa. This paper also proposes a system architecture for implementing demand response and design of payload and their effect on the calculation of throughput, latency and maximum permissible nodes at different levels of power flow. For actualizing such scenarios, the information of different parameters at the load end needs to be conveyed to the utility. Cisco Packet Tracer is utilized to show the flow of information.