A field test using agents for coordination of residential micro-chp

In the Netherlands decentralised generation of heat and power by mu-CHP units in households is expected to penetrate the market at high speed in the coming years. Using ICT these mu-CHP units can be integrated into a smart power system or virtual power plant. Other local production and consumption of electricity such as PV, wind, heat pumps and electrical vehicles can be added to this cluster. The main goal of a smart power system is to optimize the value of decentralised power production and consumption in view of the total energy value chain. The PowerMatcher is a multi-agent based control concept (and software package) for coordination of demand and supply in electricity networks with a high share of distributed generation. The concept is demonstrated in several real life field tests. One of these field tests is a virtual power plant consisting of 10 mu-CHP units reducing the local peak demand of the common low-voltage grid segment the mu-CHP units are connected to. In this way the VPP supports the local distribution network operator (DNO) to defer reinforcements in the grid infrastructure (transformers and cables). To realize this VPP, an ICT-communication network containing a hardware and software infrastructure has been added to a test rollout of mu-CHP installations in The Netherlands. Main conclusion from the field test is that a peak reduction of 30 -50% can be achieved, depending on summer or winter season.