Cooling supply-based HVAC system control for fast demand response of buildings to urgent requests of smart grids

Abstract

Shutting down part of operating chillers in HVAC (heating ventilating and air-conditioning) is a direct and effective mean allowing immediate responses of buildings to the power reduction requests of a smart grid.This paper presents a summary on the demand response control strategies and the problems when using the current conventional demand-based air-conditioning control strategies for fast demand response as well as the reasons of rebound problems after a DR event. The proposed cooling supply-based strategy aims at properly controlling air-conditioning systems when the cooling supply is not sufficient to fulfil the cooling demand of a building. This strategy can effectively solve problems of immediate power demand limiting control in response to the urgent requests of a smart grid as well as the rebound problems after the demand response event.