Localized Demand Control of Flexible Devices for Peak Load Management

The increased adoption of electric vehicles poses a challenge for the traditional electricity grid, especially at the local residential network. The impact is primarily seen in terms of higher peak demands, system overloads, and voltage violations. This study proposes a non-wire solution to these challenges using a network-oriented demand response technology called Localized Demand Control. In this technology, the local grid is enabled to follow a preferred demand curve at the distribution transformer level through a distributed but coordinated actions of various flexible loads. The system functionality has been validated in a real-world setup using a 5-house microgrid facility. Realistic simulations of a 70-house representative network were also done to create recommended rates for gradual technology adoption in the next 20 years. Results show that the system is a practical solution for reducing peak demand, enhancing load factor, and improving network efficiency.