Demand Control Utilizing Energy Management Systems - Report of Field Tests

Abstract

Energy Management systems and particularly demand controllers are becoming more popular as commercial and light industrial operations attempt to reduce their electrical usage and demand. Numerous techniques are used to control energy use and demand and many manufacturers are offering equipment. This study attempts to characterize and quantify the effects of various control philosophies used in these equipments. Monitoring and control equipment has been installed in commercial facilities with results used in this study. Individual loads have been characterized by their demand contribution and run times. Load profiles and demand histories for various facilities have been used to analyze several energy control philosophies. The results from pre and post control situations are herein presented by using the collected field data. It has been found that facilities which appear quite similar may vary in load characteristics such that the same control philosophies may not produce the same result in demand limiting or energy savings. Specifically, the proper energy management philosophy depends not only on the operation of the facility, but also on the characteristics of the individual loads which may be controlled. This paper gives comments concerning scheduling control concepts and demand limiting philosophy. Special recommendations are made regarding demand control techniques.