Active loads in office buildings as a demand side resource towards the smart grid

A key characteristic of the smart grid is its multi-directional flow of power and information and hence transformation of the demand side management to demand side integration philosophy at low level voltage. This implies that buildings must also provide service to the electrical smart grid in as much as it is also serviced by the latter. Consequently the phenomenon of active loads has become evident in form of using Building Services components like cooling machines, heat pumps and others to service the utility grid. Taking cue from tests performed in the United States and the United Kingdom, experiments were conducted at an existing office building in Breda, Netherlands. Additional metering was installed to be able to measure rather detailed the energy flows within the building. The potential and possible effects on recommended comfort levels were investigated in this case study building. The electrical steam humidifier and the air handlings units were used as an active load to see to what extent they could support the Smart Grid. The effects of the different contributions towards the Smart Grid were determined. Specifically the steam humidifier and ventilators were operated on modulated mode and reduced capacity all within corresponding comfort conditions monitored. Results indicated that whereas potentials existed for such uses, care had to be taken to determine critical operational boundaries of the equipment. Depending on the level of responsiveness and the control strategy, the main energy uses of the building, the steam humidifier and air handlings unit, can be used as active loads.