Value of thermostatic loads in future low-carbon Great Britain system

Vincenzo Trovato

Value of thermostatic loads in future low-carbon Great Britain system

Vincenzo Trovato

Imperial College London, UK

: J Nucl Ene Sci Power Generat Technol

Abstract

The research area of the proposed talk concerns the efficient and secure operation of the future low-carbon power system, where alternative sources of control and flexibility will progressively replace the traditional providers of ancillary services i.e., conventional generators. Various options are engaged in this challenge and suit the innovative concept of Smart Grid. Specifically, the talk investigates the potential of demand side response support by means of thermostatically controlled loads (TCLs). The proposed methodology aims to quantify the impact that a population of thermostatically controlled loads (e.g. refrigerators, heat pumps etc.) has on the commitment and dispatch of a future power system characterized by a large penetration of renewable energy sources (e.g. wind) that are variable and intermittent. Thanks to their relative insensitivity to temperature fluctuations, thermostatic loads would be able to provide frequency response services and other forms of system services, such as energy arbitrage and congestion relief. These actions in turn enhance the power system operation and support the strict compliance with system security standards. Case studies focus on the system operation cost and CO2 emissions reductions for a) different future network scenarios, b) different frequency response requirements, c) changes of thermostatic loadsÃ¢Â€Â™ parameters (e.g. coefficient of performance, thermal insulation etc.).