Optimal Consumption Management in Smart Grids with Electric Vehicle Loads

Abstract

Due to the dramatic growth in the electric power industry and the large gap between small and large loads and economic crisis that has gripped most of the world, the operation of power plants has become a critical issue. Also growing use of traditional sources of energy and lack of response to this need has created a lot of problems around the world. Including that they can reduce fossil fuel resources, and the environmental impact of greenhouse gas increases noted. This problem has led to concerns of environmentally friendly technologies such as electric cars get more attention. Considering to the capability of bi-directional exchange power in electric vehicles, they are significant appliance of the network. This type of appliance as well as hardware that is installed in the parking lot, they can quickly set up as a small virtual power plant. The main focus of this paper is to develop an optimal load management strategy for residential consumers that utilizes electric vehicle with the communication infrastructure of the future smart grid. The strategy considers predictions of electricity prices, energy demand, renewable power production, and power-purchase of energy of the consumer in determining the optimal relationship between hourly electricity prices and the use of different household appliances and electric vehicles in a typical smart house. The proposed strategy is illustrated using two study cases corresponding to a house located in Zaragoza (Spain) for a typical day in summer. Results show that the proposed model allows users to control their diary energy consumption and adapt their electricity bills to their actual economical situation.