Using Flexibility Information for Energy Demand Optimization in the Low Voltage Grid

Flexibility information that characterizes the energy consumption of certain loads with electric or thermal storage has been recently proposed as a means for energy management in the electric grid. In this paper we propose an energy management architecture that allows the grid operator to learn and use the consumption flexibility of its users. Starting on the home asset level, we describe flexibility models for EV charging and HVAC and their aggregation at the household and low voltage grid level. Here, the aggregated energy controller determines power references (set points) for each household controller. Since voltage limits might be violated by the energy balancing actions, we include a power flow calculation in the optimization model to keep the voltages and currents within the limits. In simulation experiments with a 42 bus radial grid, we are able to support higher household loads by individual scheduling, without falling below voltage limits.