Simulating integrated volt/var control and distributed demand response using GridSpice

This paper proposes VVCDDR, an integrated volt/var control scheme which also uses distributed demand response capacity on distribution networks to improve the reliability and efficiency of the distribution network. The paper uses a new simulation platform, GridSpice, to show that demand response resources can be used to maintain a flat and stable voltage profile over the feeder without increasing the allocation of voltage regulators and capacitor banks. The improved voltage profile allows for a safe reduction of voltage while ensuring that all loads remain within the standard acceptable voltage range. Previous studies have shown that a reduction of the load voltage translates into lower power consumption, a technique known as conservation voltage reduction (CVR). The simulation platform, GridSpice, built on top of Gridlab-D, is the first distribution simulator to consider volt/var control, demand response, and distribution automation in a single simulation.