Flexibility management with virtual batteries of thermostatically controlled loads: real-time control system and potential in Spain

TL;DR

This paper develops a real-time control system for virtual batteries made of thermostatically controlled loads and assesses their potential for grid balancing in Spain with high renewable energy integration.

Contribution

It introduces an accurate control system for virtual batteries of thermostatically controlled loads and evaluates their feasibility in Spain's diverse climate regions.

Findings

Virtual batteries can effectively track frequency regulation signals.

Significant potential for virtual batteries to support renewable energy integration.

Feasibility demonstrated across different climate zones in Spain.

Abstract

Load flexibility management is a promising approach to face the problem of balancing generation and demand in electrical grids. This problem is becoming increasingly difficult due to the variability of renewable energies. Thermostatically controlled loads can be aggregated and managed by a virtual battery, and they provide a cost-effective and efficient alternative to physical storage systems to mitigate the inherent variability of renewable energy sources. But virtual batteries require of an accurate control system being capable of tracking frequency regulation signals with minimal error. A real-time control system allowing virtual batteries to accurately track frequency or power signals is developed. The performance of this controller is validated for a virtual battery composed of 1,000 thermostatically controlled loads. Using virtual batteries equipped with the developed controller, a study focused on residential thermostatically controlled loads in Spain is performed. The results of the study quantify the potential of this technology in a country with different climate areas and provides insight about the feasibility of virtual batteries as enablers of electrical systems with high levels of penetration of renewable energy sources.