A novel automated demand response control using fuzzy logic for islanded battery-operated rural microgrids

Islanded rural microgrid require continuous resource monitoring. Demand response schemes have been phenomenal in managing loads. However, urban demand response schemes are well equipped with market prices and peak time penalties to control deferrable loads. In rural microrids, regular loads such as fans, lights and water pumps are normally used that do not fall under category of deferrable loads. In addition, full liberty of utilizing regular load at any time, lack of awareness and no information of storage reserves make task of load management more complex. In this research fully automated two layered demand response scheme is designed for regular operating loads. The first layer control is load mode control. The mode of operation is decided on the state of charge (SoC) of battery. In second layer, fuzzy controller is designed on the consumer's routines, SoC and ambient temperature as membership function. Results are assessed in terms of consumers comfort and availablity of SoC. The load operation in automated demand response remained indentical to actual rutine operation as per consumer's desire with 5 to 7% deviation. In all modes of operation SoC levels remained 15% higher and heavy load operated 13.5% more compare to relevant study.