Transactive Home Energy Management Systems: The Impact of Their Proliferation on the Electric Grid

TLDR

In the United States, single‑family homes account for 36 % of electricity demand and drive peak loads, especially during hot summer days, while evolving building designs, rooftop solar, and emerging residential storage are reshaping residential power profiles. The study seeks to improve understanding of residential electricity demand to support the transition to a transactive electric power system.

Abstract

Approximately 100 million singlefamily homes in the United States account for 36% of the electricity load, and often they determine the peak system load, especially on hot summer days when residential air-conditioning use is high. Traditional building power profiles are changing. Currently, there is an increased use of energy-efficient building materials and designs, which decreases building loads. In addition, there is an increased adoption of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV), which leads to bidirectional power flow and significant power ramps as PV output decreases in the late afternoon. Building power profiles are likely to change even more as residential energy storage products proliferate. Therefore, a better understanding of residential electricity demand is key to addressing the envisioned transition of the electric power system from its traditional structure to one that is transactive.