Economic Modeling and Evaluation of Load Frequency Control Using Controllable Loads

The increase of the fluctuating renewable energy sources requires new methods for regulation of electric power grids. One of the possible methods is the utilization of thermostatically controlled heating and cooling devices in load frequency control. In this semester thesis a strategy of integration of electric water heater groups to the ancillary services is introduced and economical evaluation of the system is done. The modeling of the electric power system is done by using the Power Nodes Modeling Framework. In the different simulation cases a real historical load frequency control signal is used and control signal tracking is implemented by a model predictive controller. Electric water heaters with a volume of 200 liters and Swiss ancillary service prices from the year 2011 are considered. One electric water heater can provide ±75W of symmetric secondary regulating power reserve and can generate a profit of CHF 23.46 per year. The control strategies and results presented in this thesis are possible applications of the rapidly developing Smart Grid technology.