Demand side resource operation on the Irish power system with high wind power penetration

• Published in: Energy policy Vol. 39; no. 5; pp. 2925 - 2934
• Main Authors: Keane, A., Tuohy, A., Meibom, P., Denny, E., Flynn, D., Mullane, A., O’Malley, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-05-2011; Elsevier; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Series: Energy Policy
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Demand; Demand side resources; Demand side resources Wind power Power system operation; Economic data; Electric energy; Electric power plants; Electricity generation; Energy; Energy economics; Energy efficiency; Energy policy; Exact sciences and technology; General, economic and professional studies; infrastructure; Ireland; Marketing; Mathematical models; Methodology. Modelling; Modelling; Natural energy; Networks; Penetration; Power demand; Power generation; Power plants; Power system operation; Renewable energy sources; Reserves; Simulation; Stochastic models; Studies; uncertainty; Wind energy; Wind power; Wind power generation; wind speed; Ireland; Wind power; Demand side resources; Power system operation
• ISSN: 0301-4215; 1873-6777
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2011.02.071

The utilisation of demand side resources is set to increase over the coming years with the advent of advanced metering infrastructure, home area networks and the promotion of increased energy efficiency. Demand side resources are proposed as an energy resource that, through aggregation, can form part of the power system plant mix and contribute to the flexible operation of a power system. A model for demand side resources is proposed here that captures its key characteristics for commitment and dispatch calculations. The model is tested on the all island Irish power system, and the operation of the model is simulated over one year in both a stochastic and deterministic mode, to illustrate the impact of wind and load uncertainty. The results illustrate that demand side resources can contribute to the efficient, flexible operation of systems with high penetrations of wind by replacing some of the functions of conventional peaking plant. Demand side resources are also shown to be capable of improving the reliability of the system, with reserve capability identified as a key requirement in this respect.
► Demand side resource model presented for use in unit commitment and dispatch calculations. ► Benefits of demand side aggregation demonstrated specifically as a peaking unit and provider of reserve. ► Potential to displace or defer construction of conventional peaking units.