Multi-Agent System for Demand Side Management in smart grid

Abstract

This paper presents a Multi-Agent System (MAS) for Demand Side Management (DSM) in smart grid which uses an energy market for resource allocation. The multi-agent system contains Load Agents, Generator Agents and DSM Agent, which provides an electronic auction platform. The automation of the demand side management through the multi-agent system is equipped with an intelligent strategy which allows controllable devices to dynamically react to market changes and adapt their bidding behaviours accordingly. The agents are able to shift energy demand within certain boundaries from peak hours to off-peak hours to minimize the operational cost of the system. Simulation studies were carried out on the developed multi-agent system and the results show that the proposed approach provides a smoothed load curve for the whole system while operational cost and peak demand are reduced. © 2011 IEEE.