Applications

Applications for Load Management have changed from simple switching functions according to a fixed time schedule towards complex optimisation and control programs to match pre-defined network operation schemes in deregulated electricity markets.

Air conditioning
In zones with warmer and more humid climates air conditioning has become a standard. Since air conditioning is not a critical load and the thermal storage of the building stucture means that there is a delay period before discomfort is experienced, this load can also be used for peak lopping purposes. By bundling various customers' air conditioning units into a group the utility gains the opportunity to optimise its load profile as well as gain more operational freedom. 

Boiler/heating control
Hot water and heating systems both have high thermal storage and hence a delayed response period. Converting this characteristic to your benefit means that for a certain period of time you can switch off or reduce the power supply to an electric boiler or electric heater without losing performance. Using a Load Management System for Boiler and Heating Control means the utility can keep the power system's peak load in check. 

Demand side management
Demand side management (DSM) means changing energy use to maximise energy efficiency. In contrast to "supply side" strategies, which increase energy supplies (by building new power plants, for example), DSM strives to get the most out of existing energy assets, whether electric or gas. DSM involves consumers changing their energy use habits and using energy-efficient appliances, equipment and buildings. 

Influencing investment
With reducing the loading of transformers and cables you reduce the stress to the equipment at the same time. By effectively controlling the maximum load in your network you can postpone investments into the expansion of your infrastructure. Especially in areas where the utility is facing a continuous or rapid increase of the system load controlling the maximum as well as the distribution of the load is a very effective measure to keep the load within pre-defined limits. 

Load shedding
Load Shedding ensures continuation of network operations in overload situations. Alternatively, Load Shaping provides the opportunity to selectively switch loads instead of shutting down selected areas of supply completely. Load Shaping, or Direct Load Management, can be applied to:

• to a generation or import/export schedule
• optimise the load in accordance with renewable energy generation
• maintain a maximum consumption profile to guarantee lowest prices to customers.

All of the above offer an economically, as well as environmentally, optimised operation. Load shaping will ensure that the installed assets will be used in the most effective manner and as a result the costs for investment and operation will be kept to a minimum. Another alternative is the indirect Load Management where by switching the energy tariff the consumer's behaviour is influenced.

Operational flexibility
In emergency situations, having options is a key issue. Transmission and Distribution networks in both regulated and deregulated energy markets are rapidly approaching their design limits. In today's industrialised countries the T&D networks' backbone was installed approximately 40 years ago and additional capacity has been added very rarely. However, the load has consistently increased and the demand for a highly reliable power supply has become even more important.

Peak cutting
It is the load peak which is the key parameter for the design and the engineering of an electric power system. As a consequence the peak is the main cost driver and a slight decrease of the load peak will result in a tremendous impact on the power system's costs.Peak Demand is the key parameter for the design and engineering of an electric power system. As a consequence the peak is the main cost driver and a slight decrease of the load peak will result in a significant reduction in the power system's costs.However, reducing a power system's peak load not only has an impact on its capital and operating costs. For large consumers – such as heavy industries and local utilities – a significant share of the electric energy price paid to the generator is dominated by the price for the maximum power demand.

Risk migration
In today's deregulated markets where energy is traded between generators, transmission and distribution system operators, municipalities and industries it is crucial that the actual demand follows the forecasted load within a pre-defined threshold. If the demand exceeds the contractual defined power limits the charges increase rapidly and the energy gets more expensive for the consumer. Based on these economics an effective Load Management System can eliminate the risk of exceeding pre-defined limits and ensure that the system load follows its forecasted values. For illustration we would like to provide an example with some indicative figures. The price a utility pays to its energy supplier consists of 5 different components:

• Price of energy
• Price of network usage
• Price for reserve energy
• Price for risk premium
• Trader's profit

It is obvious that the more accurate you can predict your load the lower the risk premium is. If the accuracy is +- 3%, the risk premium might be 2% - if it is 5%, the risk premium might be 8%.

Streetlight control
Using a Load Management System to control the streetlights or the illumination of significant places, buildings or commercials is a common application. Although this does specifically serve the purpose of controlling the load compared to Peak Cutting, etc. it is a very useful application for the utility and others.The largest benefit of using a Load Management System for Streetlight/ Illumination Control is that separate switched cables are not needed. The power cable is directly connected to the lighting pole or illumination via a Load Management Receiver. Operating lighting poles with more than one bulb for various light intensities during the night is of no issue.

Tariff switching
Tariff Switching or Indirect Load Management is utilised in a number of countries. By changing the energy tariff from i.e., a low to a high tariff the utility is indirectly influencing the consumer's behaviour. Usually the high tariff is applied during peak load hours, the low tariff during night and other off-peak hours.Using a Load Management system for tariff switching makes built-in time switches in meters obsolete and offers large operational freedom to the utility and to the end-user. It can be applied according to the network and demand side situation and does not necessarily have to follow a fixed time schedule. Tariff Switching offers the utility the opportunity for a transparent pricing towards the customer instead of applying a flat bulk tariff which does not reflect the wholesale energy market.