Optimal load scheduling strategy for isolated building-integrated DC microgrid using binary PSO to maximize user comfort and minimize peak-to-average ratio

Due to the growth of electricity consumption in residential and commercial buildings, there is a growing burden on utilities in urban areas. Sustainable buildings are being developed by integrating renewable energy generation to make an eco-friendly environment. An isolated building-integrated (IBI) DC microgrid fed by a hybrid solar PV (photo voltaic) generator-thermo electric generator (TEG) is one viable option for obtaining self-sustainable energy for the building. The battery is an important component in such IBI DC microgrid fed by the hybrid solar PV generator-TEG for providing reliable power to the loads. However, the operation and planning of the IBI DC microgrid are challenging, and therefore it needs a suitable load scheduling strategy. This paper proposes the optimal load scheduling strategy (OLSS) under demand response to schedule the household loads in the building. The proposed OLSS aims to balance two conflictive objectives, user comfort and peak-to-average ratio (PAR), using a binary particle swarm optimization algorithm (BPSO). The proposed OLSS optimizes user comfort and PAR and reduces peak demand and battery usage. It also helps in the optimum utilization of power generated from hybrid solar PV generator-TEG by shifting the loads during sun hours. Reducing battery usage reduces the conversion loss and extends the battery life. To validate the proposed OLSS, the investigations are carried out using the data obtained across different seasons. The results show that the proposed OLSS schedules the household loads with the desired user comfort and reduces PAR by 22 % in future buildings.