Optimal scheduling of heat pumps for power peak shaving and customers thermal comfort

Final customers are expected to play an active role in the Smart Grid scenario by offering their flexibility to allow a more efficient and reliable operation of the electric grid. Among the household appliances, heat pumps used for space heating are commonly recognized as flexible loads that can be suitably handled to gain benefit in the Smart Grid context. This paper proposes an optimization algorithm, based on a Mixed-Integer Linear Programming approach, designed to achieve power peak shaving in the distribution grid while providing at the same time the required thermal comfort to the end-users. The developed model allows considering a continuous operation mode of the heat pumps and different comfort requirements defined by the users over the day. Performed simulations prove the proper operation of the proposed algorithm and the technical benefits potentially achievable through the devised management of the heating devices.