Load Sensitivity Identification and Demand Control

Symbolbild load sensitivity controlKIT RTSET

As renewable energy sources are increasingly integrated into the grid, we are exploring solutions that enable loads to actively contribute to maintaining the energy balance. The goal is to control the power consumption of the loads by adjusting the voltage and frequency within the system. 

What is the Load Sensitivity?

The load sensitivity describes how power consumption depends on voltage magnitude and frequency changes. It is a critical system characteristic used for power system analysis and demand control actions. The load sensitivity depends on the operating state of loads and varies over time.

How to Identify the Load Sensitivity?

The sensitivity of aggregated load can be determined through two methods: measurement-based and component-based. The measurement-based approach estimates the load sensitivity from power and voltage magnitude/frequency measurements, requiring either natural or induced voltage variations. The component-based method relies on pre-existing knowledge of individual component sensitivities within the aggregation.

Our Identification Method

  • Detection of simultaneous voltage and power variations from running measurements
  • During the variations:
    • Verification of the correlation between voltage and power variations
    • Identification of the load sensitivity
  • Validation of the load sensitivity reliability

Our Open Access Load Sensitivity Database

In our open-access database, we provide load sensitivity profiles for 21 common residential appliances. Additionally, we offer a preliminary tool to generate various 24-hour apartment power and load sensitivity profiles using these profiles. Users are welcome to design their aggregation approach and tools.

Application: Load Sensitivity-Based Demand Control

The load sensitivity indicates the correlation between power consumption and voltage. We can shape the load power consumption (a) by controlling the voltage according to the load sensitivity. This method is known as the Load Sensitivity-Based Demand Control. The load sensitivity is first identified over time (b) and through this, we unlock power flexibility from the demand side (c).  
This particular control has already been implemented and verified in our Power Hardware-in-the-Loop setup at Energy Lab, using a microwave as a showcase.

To go further: