Impact analysis of load control for frequency regulation: The case of Sardinia in 2020

Abstract

This paper analyses the impact on the frequency regulation of a possible strategy of demand side management (DSM) within a realistic scenario of the Sardinian electric network, in a 2020 forecast horizon. The DSM method is designed for supporting primary and secondary frequency regulation through thermostatically controlled loads. The cases of domestic refrigerators and water heaters are considered. The proposed solution is evaluated through a simulation study carried out within a dedicated simulation platform. Results show the potential advantages and drawbacks of the considered strategy and help to identify modifications and improvements for increasing the performances and the feasibility in the use of DSM for frequency regulation.

Performance analysis of frequency regulation services provided by aggregates of domestic thermostatically controlled loads

“…The adopted dynamical models are detailed in the following. This models are the same used in [22]- [24].…”

“…In [22]- [24] the ENTSO-E procedure has been evaluated and tested using an accurate model of the Sardinian electric system. In particular, thermo-dynamic models of refrigerators and boilers have been developed and stochastic external signals that have an influence on their operation, such as the external air temperature and the hot water utilization profile, have been defined.…”

“…With respect to the methods introduced in [10]- [19], these control strategies are fully distributed, since they do not require any kind of communication among the controlled TCLs or with a central controller, but they only use local frequency measurements. Moreover, differently from the approach developed in [22]- [24], which, similarly, does not require communications, the TCLs aggregate effectively emulates inertia and the response of primary regulators of traditional generators.…”