Demand Market Participation (DMP) on smaller energy users

In order to ensure a reliable and sustainable national electrical distribution grid,the electrical energy supply must be able to meet the demand while ensuring that sufficient power reserves are not compromised. In the past, when electricity reserves margins were sufficient, stability was easily maintained by varying supply to meet the demand. Recently however, the demand has tended to exceed the maximum national electricity supply capacity causing Eskom to utilise the reserve margins. As a result of the energy shortfall, Eskom has initiated a program called Demand Market Participation (DMP) [1]. This program initially focused on large electrical energy consuming equipment.However, to ensure feasible DMP for both Eskom and the client, minor energy consumers can also now collectively reduce energy usage of multiple, less intensive energy consuming components. This cumulative action will contribute to a predetermined load reduction target. However, due to the dynamic and unpredictable elements of DMP, managing multiple loads is often a complex and difficult task. Production forecasts, maintenance, previous electricity consumption and non-scheduled maintenance are factors that need to be considered when smaller participating customers place DMP bids. To assist these minor energy consumers, a simulation model was developed that integrates all these aspects so that DMP can be successfully implemented. Results of an actual case study implementation are also discussed.