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Synergizing regional thermal comfort: A precision demand response strategy for air conditioning systems with motor losses and power flow dynamics

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  • Du, Pengcheng
  • Yang, Weichong
  • Jiang, Meihui
  • Zhu, Hongyu
  • Kong, Fannie
  • Liu, Tianhao
  • Goh, Hui Hwang
  • Zhang, Dongdong

Abstract

Air conditioning (AC) systems, as flexible loads in demand response control, can adjust their operating parameters and cooling loads to reduce power consumption while maintaining indoor thermal comfort. This approach aids the grid in peak shaving and valley filling, thereby balancing supply and demand. To better harness the demand response potential of AC systems, this paper proposes a Regional Thermal Comfort Division (RTCD)-based demand response control strategy that considers the power flow characteristics and detailed motor losses of the AC system. The proposed strategy offers an innovative solution for integrating AC systems into demand response, dividing response regions based on the indoor thermal comfort requirements of different floors, and maximizing the demand response potential of each area. This control strategy is applied and tested in a 90-floor, Grade A mega office building in Hong Kong. The results, based on simulation validation, indicate that the proposed demand response control strategy enhances the AC system's average load reduction capability by 24 % and demonstrates strong stability across various weather conditions and on both working and non-working days.

Suggested Citation

  • Du, Pengcheng & Yang, Weichong & Jiang, Meihui & Zhu, Hongyu & Kong, Fannie & Liu, Tianhao & Goh, Hui Hwang & Zhang, Dongdong, 2025. "Synergizing regional thermal comfort: A precision demand response strategy for air conditioning systems with motor losses and power flow dynamics," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 388(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:388:y:2025:i:c:s0306261925004179
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.125687
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