Fuzzy time series for short-term residential load forecasting in smart grids

Load forecasting is used primarily to predict future loads for a particular system over a given time period. Short-term loads are typically treated as variable elements influenced by factors such as historical load information and weather datasets, including precipitation, wind speed, and temperature. A precise forecasting with an individual model is almost impossible. The primary challenge for utility companies worldwide is accurately forecasting energy consumption. Accurate short-term load forecasting (STLF) is a cornerstone of smart grid operation, enabling demand-side management (DSM), demand response programs, and efficient integration of distributed energy resources. This study proposes a fuzzy time series (FTS)-based methodology for residential electricity consumption forecasting at hourly, daily, and weekly scales. By addressing overfitting during data partitioning and refining the fuzzification process, our approach improves prediction accuracy compared to traditional FTS models. Simulation results using real consumption data demonstrate up to 40% improvement in hourly forecasting and up to 58% and 84% improvements in daily and weekly forecasts, respectively. These results highlight the potential of FTS-based models to enhance residential demand forecasting, reduce peak-demand uncertainty, and support grid operators in achieving more resilient, flexible, and sustainable smart grid systems.