Simulation-based assessment of electric load management programs

Abstract

The paper describes a methodology for assessing the contribution of storage type loads to an electric energy system's load curve and for evaluating the impact of load shedding actions, as part of load management programs, on the system's load curve. The methodology uses physically based individual load models and an aggregation procedure that accounts for both statistical reference patterns of the energy service demand and for the random nature of load use. A simulation case study of electric water heaters fed by a single transformer station is presented, to illustrate the effects of load control. The proposed methodology presents the possibility of evaluating-both at individual consumer level and at system level-the impacts of load management (LM) on the quality of service provided, besides anticipating the impact on the system's load curve. It allows an effective design of LM programs through variables such as the number of different load shedding schedules and their frequency of use by the utility.