A Network of BIMGs Participating in Demand Response Using EVs and HVAC Units

Distributed energy resources, energy storage systems, photo-voltaic(PV) systems, and electric vehicles charging systems are being increasingly installed in many residential units. This paper presents an optimal power management mechanism for a network of grid-connected buildings integrated with microgrids. The current paper attempts to propose a high-level centralized control problem for apartment-buildings, where each building includes on-roof photovoltaic power unit, stationary local batteries, residential apartments and EVs. We developed a model predictive control for apartment-building energy management system, which controls the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, and the electric vehicles. The solution aims to dynamically control the power demand in the building by properly controlling each apartment HVAC in the network in order to improve the matching performance between the renewable power generation and consumption in the network of BIMGs and minimize the power exchange with the main grid. The problem is solved for a network of multi-unit apartments building in Montreal area.