A comprehensive test infrastructure for the evaluation of energy management systems of the household and grid level

This paper presents a comprehensive test infrastructure for evaluating algorithms of an energy management system (EMS) of the household and grid level. The test infrastructure encompasses both virtual and physical components to facilitate thorough testing of EMS algorithms. The virtual test infrastructure models household appliances, generators, and the grid, incorporating elements like heating systems, refrigerators, washing machines, battery storage, and solar systems. The scalability of the system allows the simulation of single or multiple households forming a grid model with different compositions. The physical test infrastructure extends the testing environment to real domestic appliances. Integrating the physical test environment with the virtual environment enables comprehensive testing of algorithms from grid to appliance level. Testing scenarios demonstrate the potential of load flexibility in reducing grid consumption and energy costs. One use case is testing flexibility algorithms for a refrigerator. This approach involves adjusting the refrigerator's temperature based on household energy balance. In conclusion, the comprehensive test infrastructure offers a versatile platform for testing and refining energy management algorithms. It supports holistic testing from grid to appliance levels and provides insights into potential energy savings and grid stabilization. The paper underscores the infrastructure's value in contributing to the energy transition's goals and highlights future possibilities for testing other thermal systems and domestic appliances.