Priority-based autonomous load control in dynamic pricing environments

Implementing demand response strategies which incentivize consumers to make adjustment to energy consumption profiles have resulted in profound benefits for the consumers, the utility as well as the environment. Such programs usually involve the use of a Home Energy Management System (HEMS) to achieve load control under certain constraints. In light of recent on-going transition efforts and the drive towards modern grid infrastructure in several sub-Saharan electricity markets such as in Nigeria, it is imperative that a HEMS which is suitably adapted for the Nigerian consumer be developed. In this paper, one such HEMS which utilizes load control algorithms which are based on consumer preference and constraints is proposed. A consumer assigns each load priority values at different times of the day and different load control scenarios were considered. Load control under dynamic pricing environments, as well as constraints involving demand and cost was particularly simulated using MATLAB. Results confirm that significant cost and energy savings can be achieved due to reduction in total energy cost and load of the system.