Assessment of Water Heater Resource Features for Demand Response in the Energy System

The article explores the potential of electric storage water heaters (ESWH) as a resource for demand response in the energy system. The primary focus is on assessing the impact of various parameters and conditions of ESWHs on their efficiency, consumer comfort, and ability to participate in demand response programs. Historical data on electricity consumption, obtained from research based on observations of real experimental installations, is analyzed. The influence of the ESWH tank volume, temperature settings, and operating modes on energy efficiency and consumer comfort is examined in detail. The analysis identifies optimal settings that ensure a balance between system energy efficiency and consumer convenience. Special attention is given to water heater management strategies that minimize consumer discomfort during use, particularly through Pareto-optimal combinations of volume and temperature. The article also analyzes the impact of seasonal factors, ESWH volume selection parameters, and the settings and operating modes that determine the effectiveness of ESWHs in demand response programs. Furthermore, the potential of ESWHs for demand response in Ukraine was assessed, taking into account the total number of water heaters, most of which are storage and vertical installation models. The study separately examines selected medium-volume water heaters, which are the most popular for household use and have high potential for flexible demand management. Based on calculations, the number of water heaters of different types and capacities was determined, allowing for the evaluation of their contribution to the overall demand response potential of the energy system. The proposed approaches may be useful for further implementation of demand response programs aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and the reliability of the energy system while maintaining a high level of consumer comfort.