On the effects of BAC systems and load control programs on the utility grid

Abstract

The electricity demand increasing for the comfort improvement in residential buildings is nowadays stressing the MV and LV networks in urban areas. In this framework, the Distribution System Operators (DSO) are exposed to the risk of reliability decrease and there is, earlier than expected, the issue of new and substantial investments for enhancing the network infrastructure. Nevertheless, DSOs have a very strong inclination to defer investment in new facilities in favour of more 'flexible measures' for improving the life of the existing components. Solutions of this type are primarily based on demand management, i.e. activities aimed at encouraging the end-users to a different/smart electricity utilization. The use of such methods for demand management has a very large number of benefits for the distribution system. As an example, they may slow the growth rate of annual peak load, reduce the energy demand on the system, reduce the power system losses, reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere and, as said, defer investments for strengthening the distribution network. In this context, the purpose of this paper is to assess the effects on the electrical distribution system of the application of load control programs and Building Automation and Control (BAC) systems in residential buildings. The paper considers the application of some different load control actions in presence of distributed PV generators too.