Smart Agent-Based Direct Load Control of Air Conditioner Populations in Demand Side Management

Abstract

The integration of fluctuating renewable resources such as wind and solar into existing power systems poses challenges to grid reliability and the seamless incorporation of these resources. To address the inherent variability in renewable generation, direct load control emerges as a promising method for demand-side management. Thermostatically controlled appliances, like air conditioners, hold a significant role in this approach. However, effective direct load control necessitates accurate load magnitude estimation and the potential for load shifting. In this paper, we introduce a smart-agent architecture that employs a mathematical model to forecast aggregated power consumption behavior, even when changes are introduced by the controller. To assess system performance, a numerical simulator was developed, demonstrating the system’s adaptability to changes, its self-retraining capability, and its continuous improvement in predicting aggregated power consumption.