Analysis and Model of Consumption Patterns and Solar Energy Potentials for Residential Area Smart Grid Cells

Abstract

Meanwhile environmental concerns and global energy consumption continue to increase, the current ageing power distribution grid is becoming increasingly inefficient and unreliable. The vision of Smart Grid is to create a widely distributed energy supply infrastructure by means of information and communications technology (ICT). By incorporating ICT in all aspects of electricity delivery, generation and consumption the intention is to ensure a better match between supply and demand, while also easing the transition to increased use of renewable energy sources. This study explores the dynamics of electricity consumption in households and the potentials of photovoltaic energy generation in residential Smart Grid cells (microgrids). That is, by analysing actual consumption patterns and solar generation data, the aim is to investigate the potential benefits of distributed energy generation and storage in futuristic microgrids. Furthermore, by using the acquired dynamics of energy generation and consumption it is attempted to model autonomy in microgrids with purpose of shaving usage peaks and avoiding power outages by use of local generation and storage.