Abstract While coordinated control of a large population of electric loads can provide important services to the electric grid, situations have been observed where control of load ensembles may lead to highly nonlinear behavior such as synchronization, sustained oscillations and bifurcations. Synchronization of thermostatically controlled loads (TCLs) is undesirable since it can lead to increased short-cycling, sudden changes in power demand and network voltage issues. In this paper, we investigate the synchronizing tendency of TCLs under control strategies where updates are broadcast periodically for coordinating TCLs. We study the problem using a hybrid dynamical systems framework to model both the continuous and discrete dynamics of load ensembles. Analysis of eigenmodes of the underlying discrete-time system provide insights into synchronizing tendencies and rate of convergence to the synchronized state. Simulations are provided to illustrate the theory.

中文翻译：

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负载集合中的同步分析

摘要 虽然大量电力负载的协调控制可以为电网提供重要服务，但已经观察到负载集合的控制可能导致高度非线性行为，例如同步、持续振荡和分叉。恒温控制负载 (TCL) 的同步是不可取的，因为它会导致短周期增加、电力需求的突然变化和网络电压问题。在本文中，我们研究了在控制策略下 TCL 的同步趋势，其中更新定期广播以协调 TCL。我们使用混合动力系统框架来对负载集合的连续和离散动态进行建模来研究该问题。对底层离散时间系统的本征模式的分析提供了对同步趋势和同步状态收敛速度的洞察。提供了模拟来说明该理论。