Optimizing the effects of load-shedding through micro-load management in generation constrained power system

Abstract

The continuous increase in electricity demand all over the world is putting huge burden on electricity utility providers to effect various types of load shedding in order to avoid total blackout. Load shedding is implemented mostly by turning off affected communities or areas from the main grid thereby depriving them from electricity supply. This paper attempts to propose a solution to this problem by granularly optimizing load levels of each metering units by turning off specific loads from household or and industrial demands in order to reduce the total effective load on the smart meters thereby reducing the overall effect on the generation as well as the distribution systems. The Design Science Methodology was used in the research. The preliminary results from the study shows that implementing this approach to load shedding will drastically reduce the overall effects of this intervention by utilities on their subscribers.