Network frequency regulation through dynamic load management

Abstract

Dynamic Demand control technologies is an alternative solution towards the traditional ways of providing ancillary services, namely through large generators. It could lead to significant carbon dioxide reduction and may help facilitate the connection of greater amounts of intermittent renewable energy generation, such as solar and wind power. Dynamic Demand is the name of a semi-passive technology for regulating load demands on an electrical power grid. The report proposes the monitoring of the frequency of the power grid, such that individual, intermittent loads could be switched on or off at optimal moments to balance the overall system load with generation, reducing critical power mismatches. In principle, any appliance that operates on a duty cycle (such as industrial or domestic air conditioners, water heaters, heat pumps and refrigerators) could be used to provide a constant and reliable grid real power balancing service by timing their duty cycles in response to system load. When the frequency decreases, the dynamic-demand enabled appliance would be switch off, reducing the load on the grid and helping to restore the balance. When the frequency increases past the nominal value, the load would be switched on, using up the excess power. It is necessary the appliance will not stray out of its acceptable operating range. This project is to develop a mathematical model of the power system using Matlab Simulink. The behavior of the power system under the disturbance condition will be studied, with the incorporation of the active load control mechanism.