Demand response control strategy for decentralized air- conditioning systems in microgrids

Abstract

Distributed energy systems are essential to integrate renewable energy sources to the modern electric grid. Microgrids are a distributed energy system that enables the integration of the intermittent renewable energy sources. Microgrids can operate in islanded mode without the support of the main grid in case of emergency. In this operation mode there must be a wide range of controls to operate the Microgrid until the main grid is available. A microgrid that consists of distributed air conditioning units is considered in this research. This research focuses on developing a control strategy to support the islanded operation of Microgrids using Fast Demand Response and Direct Load Control. The controller developed is a feedback controller with an Integer Linear Programming optimizer that optimizes the thermostat setpoint population of the air conditioners in the control loop. It is showed that the developed controller can be used in achieving power reserve margins, emergency load reduction and cold load pickup mitigation in an islanded Microgrid using simulations.