Real-Time Energy Disaggregation of a Distribution Feeder's Demand Using Online Learning

Though distribution system operators have been adding more sensors to their networks, they still often lack an accurate real-time picture of the behavior of distributed energy resources such as demand responsive electric loads and residential solar generation. Such information could improve system reliability, economic efficiency, and environmental impact. Rather than installing additional costly sensing and communication infrastructure to obtain additional real-time information, it may be possible to use existing sensing capabilities and leverage knowledge about the system to reduce the need for new infrastructure. In this paper, we disaggregate a distribution feeder's demand measurements into: 1) the demand of a population of air conditioners, and 2) the demand of the remaining loads connected to the feeder. We use an online learning algorithm, Dynamic Fixed Share (DFS), that uses the real-time distribution feeder measurements as well as models generated from historical building- and device-level data. We develop two implementations of the algorithm and conduct case studies using real demand data from households and commercial buildings to investigate the effectiveness of the algorithm. The case studies demonstrate that DFS can effectively perform online disaggregation and the choice and construction of models included in the algorithm affects its accuracy, which is comparable to that of a set of Kalman filters.