Smart grid dispatch strategy for on/off demand-side devices

We consider an aggregator managing a portfolio of runtime and downtime constrained ON/OFF demand-side devices. The devices are able to shift consumption in time within certain energy limitations. We show how the aggregator can manage the portfolio of devices to collectively provide upward and downward regulation. Two control strategies are presented enabling the portfolio to provide regulating power while respecting the runtime, downtime, and energy constraints of the devices. The first strategy is a predictive controller requiring complete device information; this controller is able to utilize the full flexibility of the portfolio but can only handle a small number of devices. The second strategy is an agile controller requiring less device information; this controller is able to handle a large number of devices but not able to utilize the full flexibility of the portfolio.