Methodology for comparing the performance of DER coordination schemes in providing frequency regulation

In this paper, we illustrate a novel methodology for comparing and quantifying the performance of different distributed energy resources (DER) schemes’ ability to deliver frequency regulation services across a number of salient criteria. The schemes considered include (bottom-up) packetized energy management, fitness-based methods, and (direct load control) optimization-based methods. The criteria of interest include tracking performance, scalability of communication, scalability of computation, device availability, ability to maintain consumer quality of service (CQoS) relative to delivered hot water temperatures, and impact on the device quality of service (DQoS) such as average cycling rates. Moreover, we augment the fitness-based method with an ability to estimate the fitness values dynamically which significantly reduces the communication burden while maintaining the tracking capability. Finally, the simulations and corresponding comparisons are based on a representative subset of PJM’s historical Reg-D data.