Distributed energy storage unit-based active demand response for residential loads

This paper presents the development and testing of an active demand response (DR) for residential loads (RLs). The proposed DR is developed to mimic the industrial DR, which is based on injecting power to the grid during peak-demand times. The power injection in the proposed DR is achieved by discharging distributed energy storage units (DESUs) that are charged during off-peak-demand times. The desired DESUs are interconnected at distribution transformers that feed RLs. The injection of power during peak-demand times is aimed to reduce the grid power delivery during peak-demand hours. The DESU-based DR is implemented for performance evaluation using sets of data collected from several RLs during different seasons. Performance results show that the developed DR can be operated to offset the grid power delivery by more than 70% of RL power demands during peak-demand times. In addition, performance results demonstrate that the DESU-based DR is independent from the patterns of RL power consumption and/or number of customers participating in energy saving programs. The encouraging performance of the DESU-based DR supports its application to implement smart grid functions for RLs.