Load-side demand management in buildings using controlled electric springs

With increasing use of renewable energy and the advancements in smart grids, demand side management has been a keen topic of interest. Buildings, both commercial and residential, have great potential in implementing load-side demand management in renewable energy source powered microgrids. Electric Spring, a smart grid technology, is able to provide instantaneous voltage support and load power shedding. Thus, providing an astute solution to the voltage instability problem associated with such microgrids. In this paper, an implementation of electric spring is presented, in conjunction with building loads like central air conditioning system, to demonstrate its properties of voltage support, load power shedding, and reactive power compensation.