Events Calendar

Demand Responsive Control in Buildings

Lyman Handy Colloquium SeriesPresentsProfessor Peng XuEnvironmental Energy Technologies DivisionLawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA Abstract:As an essential of modern life, electricity is different from other commodities. It cannot be stored economically, and the supply of and demand for electricity must be balanced in real time. Demand levels also can change quite rapidly and unexpectedly. Increasing grid capacity to maintain reserve margins sufficient for demand is possible but is not a good solution because the electric system is highly capital-intensive, and both generation and transmission system investments have long lead times.Demand response (DR) is an emerging research field and an effective tool that improves grid reliability and prevents the price of electricity from rising, especially in deregulated markets. This presentation introduces the definition of DR and different methods to achieve demand response control in buildings, including both passive and active thermal mass control. It describes the DR technology utilized at a commercial building in California and the methodologies to evaluate associated demand savings. On the basis of field tests in many large office building, DR is proven to be a reliable and credible resource that ensures a stable and economical operation of the power grid.

Location: John Stauffer Science Lecture Hall (SLH) - 100

Audiences: The Scientific Community is Cordially Invited

Contact: Petra Pearce Sapir