A dynamic model of power system operation incorporating load control

Load management, which involves tailoring electric energy use to match electric energy supply, has been frequently suggested as an alternative for increasing the efficiency of the electric energy system. However, traditional utility analysis tools are frequently inadequate for assessing the costs and benefits of alternative load management options. One such problem is the consideration of active utility load control in the unit commitment/ economic dispatch problem. A model has been developed to determine how a power system with an active load control system should be operated to make the best use of its available resources. The model uses a dynamic programming successive approximation technique called gradient dynamic programming developed during the project to solve this control problem for realistically sized systems. The development of the model and its computer implementation are presented. The use of the model is demonstrated on several case studies of current interest. The case study results indicate that the production cost savings that can be achieved through the use of direct load control are highly dependent on utility characteristics, load characteristics, storage capacity, and penetration.