Using Multi-Agent Systems for Demand Response Aggregators: A Technical Implementation

Load flexibility can support the integration of renewable energies in the form of demand response (DR) mechanisms. It contributes to the stabilization of the power grid by controlling energy consumption and generation at strategic times. Industrial manufacturers can offer their load flexibility at DR markets by cooperating with DR aggregators. They pool and manage many technical units that can provide such flexibility in a virtual power plant (VPP). Many studies promote the use of multi-agent systems (MAS) for the management of these VPPs, however, they are not widely used yet. To enable DR aggregators to use MAS, this paper describes the requirements for the use of MAS technology for a German DR market use case. Derived from these requirements, an agent implementation method for standard industrial components with the necessary interfaces and communication technology is presented and the functionality in a laboratory setup is shown.