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Centrally Adapted Optimal Control of Multiple Electric Water Heaters

Author

Listed:
  • Michael J. Ritchie

    (Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa)

  • Jacobus A. A. Engelbrecht

    (Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa)

  • Marthinus J. Booysen

    (Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa)

Abstract

Breakthroughs in smart grid technology make it possible to deliver electricity in controlled and intelligent ways to improve energy efficiency between the user and the utility. Demand-side management strategies can reduce overall energy usage and shift consumption to reduce peak loads. Electric water heaters account for 40% of residential energy consumption. Since they are thermal storage devices, advanced control strategies can improve their efficiency. However, existing methods disregard the connection between the user and the grid. We propose a centrally adapted control model that allows for coordinated scheduling to adapt the optimal control schedule of each EWH, spreading the load into off-peak periods to ensure that the grid’s generation capacity is not exceeded. We consider two strategies for the delivery of hot water: temperature matching, and energy matching with Legionella sterilisation, and compare them to a baseline strategy where the thermostat is always switched on. Simulation results for a grid of 77 EWHs showed that an unconstrained peak load of 1.05 kW/EWH can be reduced as low as 0.4 kW/EWH and achieve a median energy saving per EWH of 0.38 kWh/day for the temperature matching strategy and 0.64 kWh/day for the energy matching strategy, without reducing the user’s comfort.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael J. Ritchie & Jacobus A. A. Engelbrecht & Marthinus J. Booysen, 2022. "Centrally Adapted Optimal Control of Multiple Electric Water Heaters," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-24, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:4:p:1521-:d:752697
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Michael J. Ritchie & Jacobus A.A. Engelbrecht & Marthinus J. Booysen, 2021. "Practically-Achievable Energy Savings with the Optimal Control of Stratified Water Heaters with Predicted Usage," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-23, April.
    2. Wassim Salameh & Jalal Faraj & Elias Harika & Rabih Murr & Mahmoud Khaled, 2021. "On the Optimization of Electrical Water Heaters: Modelling Simulations and Experimentation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-12, June.
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    4. Pomianowski, M.Z. & Johra, H. & Marszal-Pomianowska, A. & Zhang, C., 2020. "Sustainable and energy-efficient domestic hot water systems: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
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    6. Gerardo J. Osório & Miadreza Shafie-khah & Gonçalo C. R. Carvalho & João P. S. Catalão, 2019. "Analysis Application of Controllable Load Appliances Management in a Smart Home," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-24, September.
    7. Yildiz, Baran & Bilbao, Jose I. & Roberts, Mike & Heslop, Simon & Dore, Jonathon & Bruce, Anna & MacGill, Iain & Egan, Renate J. & Sproul, Alistair B., 2021. "Analysis of electricity consumption and thermal storage of domestic electric water heating systems to utilize excess PV generation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C).
    8. Jack, M.W. & Suomalainen, K. & Dew, J.J.W. & Eyers, D., 2018. "A minimal simulation of the electricity demand of a domestic hot water cylinder for smart control," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 211(C), pages 104-112.
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    Cited by:

    1. Pieter D. van Schalkwyk & Jacobus A. A. Engelbrecht & Marthinus J. Booysen, 2022. "Thermal Stratification and Temperature Variation in Horizontal Electric Water Heaters: A Characterisation Platform," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-20, April.
    2. Ahuja, Jaya & Puppala, Harish, 2024. "Workplace energy conservation index (WECI): A tool for attaining energy conservation at workplace," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 286(C).
    3. Rosemary E. Alden & Huangjie Gong & Tim Rooney & Brian Branecky & Dan M. Ionel, 2023. "Electric Water Heater Modeling for Large-Scale Distribution Power Systems Studies with Energy Storage CTA-2045 Based VPP and CVR," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-22, June.
    4. Ritchie, M.J. & Engelbrecht, J.A.A. & Booysen, M.J., 2024. "Loadshedding-induced transients due to battery backup systems and electric water heaters," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 367(C).

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