Demand Response for Integrating Photovoltaic Plants in Lampedusa Island

This paper presents the results of a simulation study concerning different Demand Response logics applied to Electric Storage Water Heaters on the island of Lampedusa. Electric Storage Water Heaters are the devices that are primarily used on the island to produce domestic hot water. Starting from measured load profiles collected in Lampedusa, a domestic hot water consumption profile was derived, to simulate the energy usage of the Storage Water Electric Heaters during the day. This work was carried out as a preliminary feasibility study for the BloRin project, financed by cohesion funds in the Sicilian region. According to the project, which also includes the installation of domestic photovoltaic systems on the island, two development scenarios have been formulated. The results show that even a limited penetration of photovoltaic power in the energy system of Lampedusa can lead to steep load ramps and risk of power inversion in distribution substations. To overcome these problems, several Demand Response programs have been considered. By setting a higher value of the desired water temperature of the Storage Water Electric Heaters, in the hours of maximum photovoltaic generation, thermal loads can be shifted towards central hours of the day, with clear benefits in terms of power inversion containment and peak reduction.