Impact analysis of load control for frequency regulation: The case of Sardinia in 2020

This paper analyses the impact on the frequency regulation of a possible strategy of demand side management (DSM) within a realistic scenario of the Sardinian electric network, in a 2020 forecast horizon. The DSM method is designed for supporting primary and secondary frequency regulation through thermostatically controlled loads. The cases of domestic refrigerators and water heaters are considered. The proposed solution is evaluated through a simulation study carried out within a dedicated simulation platform. Results show the potential advantages and drawbacks of the considered strategy and help to identify modifications and improvements for increasing the performances and the feasibility in the use of DSM for frequency regulation.