Estimation of potential demand reduction by commercial air conditioner control considering outdoor air temperature

• Main Authors: Kentaro Takagi, Hiroshi Asano, Shigeru Bando
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2017-01-01
• Series: Journal of International Council on Electrical Engineering
• Subjects: Smart grid; demand response; air conditioner; power system; ancillary service; demand side flexibility
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/22348972.2017.1345198

Demand response is expected to help maintain the supply and demand balance of the power system. In Japan, various demonstration projects have been carried out to evaluate the effect of demand reduction. Commercial air conditioners are a promising responsive load for demand response because they account for a large proportion of power consumption in the power system. In this study, we estimate the potential for system-wide demand reduction through controlling commercial air conditioners. Power consumption of air conditioner changes by the outdoor air temperature. The air-conditioning power consumption model is established based on efficiency characteristics of air conditioner depending on outdoor temperature and load factor. A thermal load simulation is performed assuming demand response implementation in the model buildings and the potential demand reduction is estimated considering user comfort. Our results show that demand reduction through air conditioner control is a viable strategy.