Optimal demand side management in generation constrained power systems

Abstract

In the face of dwindling generation from hydro-electric generators in most developing countries coupled with a continuous increase in electricity demand is forcing the electric utility companies to effect various demand-side management (DSM). Amongst the DSMs being implemented in these countries is the severe load shedding method that seeks to reduce the overall demand by cutting off sections of a grid resulting in a complete power cut to the affected areas. In this paper, the potential of the smart grid is harnessed to enable micro-load shedding to avoid a complete cut-off from the grid. Algorithm for efficient allocation of available generation is proposed. Dynamic programming based algorithms are developed to achieve this constraint by granularly controlling home appliances to reduce the overall demands for electricity by the consumers on the grid. The efficacy of the proposed system is proven by the simulation results obtained.