SmartHG Overview

SmartHG platform is built with a hierarchical control schema where the Distribution System Operator (DSO) computes, for each user, an individualised energy usage profile to be followed. To this end, the DSO proposes to each user an individualised price policy defining costs for consumed energy as well as rewards for produced energy. As for energy consumption [production (e.g., from solar panels)], for each time slot (say each hour) the DSO price policy defines an interval of energy consumption [production] with a low cost [high reward]. Outside of such an interval the energy cost [reward] is high [low]. In order to minimise energy costs each user is advised to follow a power profile with low energy cost (for consumption) or with high energy reward (for production). Users will exploit load shifting, energy storage (e.g., batteries or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles) and energy production (e.g., from solar panels) to follow the energy profile proposed by the DSO.

The following figure summarises the SmartHG hierarchical control schema.