Consumer Privacy Protection using Flexible Thermal Loads

Due to the increasing adoption of smart meters, there are growing concerns about consumer privacy risks stemming from the high resolution metering data. To counter these risks, there have been various works in shaping the grid-visible energy consumption profile using controllable loads. However, most works have focused on using energy storage systems (ESSs). In this paper, we explore the use of flexible thermal loads (FTLs) for consumer privacy protection. The theoretical limitations of using FTLs are compared to systems using ESSs. It is shown that due to the limitations in the operation of FTLs, without significant over-sizing of systems, and sacrifices in consumer comfort, FTLs of much higher equivalent energy storage capacity are required to afford the same level of protection as ESSs. Nonetheless, given their increasing ubiquity, controllable FTLs should be considered for use in consumer privacy protection.