Assessment of Optimal Flexibility in Ensemble of Frequency Responsive Loads

TL;DR

This paper introduces a probabilistic framework to quantify uncertainties in frequency responsive load control, providing a closed-form expression for optimal demand flexibility to enhance grid ancillary services.

Contribution

It presents a novel uncertainty analysis method with a closed-form solution for optimal flexibility in frequency responsive loads, validated through simulations.

Findings

Analytical expression for optimal demand flexibility.

Validation via Monte Carlo simulations.

Quantification of expected load response errors.

Abstract

Potential of electrical loads in providing grid ancillary services is often limited due to the uncertainties associated with the load behavior. A knowledge of the expected uncertainties with a load control program would invariably yield to better informed control policies, opening up the possibility of extracting the maximal load control potential without affecting grid operations. In the context of frequency responsive load control, a probabilistic uncertainty analysis framework is presented to quantify the expected error between the target and actual load response, under uncertainties in the load dynamics. A closed-form expression of an optimal demand flexibility, minimizing the expected error in actual and committed flexibility, is provided. Analytical results are validated through Monte Carlo simulations of ensembles of electric water heaters.