Modeling Populations of Thermostatic Loads with Switching Rate Actuation

Abstract

We model thermostatic devices using a stochastic hybrid description, and introduce an external actuation mechanism that creates random switches in the discrete dynamics. We then conjecture the form of the Fokker-Planck equation and successfully verify it numerically using Monte Carlo simulations. The actuation mechanism and subsequent modeling result are relevant for power system operation.

Demand Response of a TCL Population Using Switching-Rate Actuation

“…This work presents in detail the Switching-Rate actuation, which we briefly introduced in [24], and which extends the Switching-Fraction by desynchronizing the individual TCLs responses in time, across the population. This is important because of the peak power-draw at the TCL compressor start-up.…”