Measurement and control system architecture for electrical energy demand side management

Abstract

A cluster system architecture for implementing a load shape strategy for demand side management is presented. Modulation of electricity prices, with time-of-use tariffs, is used for inducing low voltage customers shifting their loads according to load shape strategy objectives. The system has a multilevel cluster structure. Each level of the architecture reflects the philosophy of a fully decentralised strategy in which all devices have the same inherent processing capability. Power line communications are proposed for data exchange on the existing distribution low voltage electricity network. Various modulations are discussed and preliminary results of experimentation carried out on orthogonal frequency division multiplexing and frequency shift keying modulation in power line communication are presented.Index Terms--automated meter reading, demand side management, load control, measurement, mobile agent, power line communication, power system, smart web sensor.

The Development of Sensor Applications in the Sectors of Energy and Environment in Italy, 1976–2015

“…Strategies of energy production optimization and load shaping were at first proposed, suggesting the use of systems designed to improve data production on the consumers’ side [9,10]. But the concept of energy efficiency became really popular only when, also in this country, systems and techniques for distributed process control and optimization turned into practical applications, with the first examples being light management in buildings [11] and with the design of WSNs devoted to the control of industrial processes [12].…”

“…As mentioned above, the situation only changed during the last 20 years when, following the EU strategies, Italy became fully aware of: (1) the environmental problem related to energy production and use and (2) the necessity of adopting policies capable of significantly reducing the at least 40% loss in energy use by putting into practice the concepts of efficient energy exploitation. Strategies of energy production optimization and load shaping were at first proposed, suggesting the use of systems designed to improve data production on the consumers’ side [ 9 , 10 ]. But the concept of energy efficiency became really popular only when, also in this country, systems and techniques for distributed process control and optimization turned into practical applications, with the first examples being light management in buildings [ 11 ] and with the design of WSNs devoted to the control of industrial processes [ 12 ].…”