Distributed Interruptible Load Shedding and Micro-Generator Dispatching to Benefit System Operations

A blackout is the worst end result of a significant difference between generation and absorption of power. Therefore, distribution network operators (DNO) need to know and control the load and generation profiles in advance to run an electric power network well, especially when distributed generation is present, as in the smart grid of the future. The combination of distributed interruptible load shedding and dispatched microgenerators provides the DNO with an interesting opportunity for power network emergency management. In this paper, a proposal to approach this problem and some test results are presented using probabilistic methods for a small low-voltage network with interruptible loads and combined heat and power (μCHP) generators.