The effect of incomplete price signals on a price-responsive distribution feeder

Using the smart grid simulator Gridlab-D, a representative feeder model was implemented with residential price-responsive air conditioning units. A real-time price signal was constructed based on CAISO FERC reports and was fed to residential price-responsive thermostat controllers. To simulate the effects of dropped packets in the communications network, the price signal sent to particular residences was not updated on the typical hourly basis simulating dropped packets in the communication network; the dropped packet rate was varied from 0% to 90%. The average load during the peak period of noon to 7pm was examined and found to be constant versus the dropped packet rate, though thermostate controllers, in response to higher prices, were able to reduce the energy bill by shifting air conditioning usage out of high price periods. The cumulative energy bill for the entire feeder was affected by the dropped packet rate with an increasing drop rate leading to higher energy bills.