Optimal Electrical Energy Consumption: Challenges and Solutions

In this paper، the methods of optimal electrical energy consumption and management are investigated، and their corresponding challenges are evaluated. In general، the optimization methods of electrical energy consumption can be classified into demand side management، the optimization of energy consumption in motors، power quality of electrical loads، and optimization of energy consumption in lightening. Each of these elements and challenges in general، has their own solutions، which are described in this paper. Moreover، in this paper، distributed generation (DG) is introduced as one of the main solution for optimizing electrical energy consumption. Local energy production by renewable-energy-based DGs، non-renewable-energy-based DGs، or hybrid DGS can decrease the transmission line losses and increase the system reliability. Furthermore، the injection of reactive power (correction of power factor) and compensation of system harmonics (like active filters) can be done by DGs. In order to evaluate the solutions which are illustrated in this paper، a grid connected hybrid PV/FC/Battery power system، which is connected to a local load، is simulated in this paper. In this system، not only the load active power is prepared by DG sources، but also the reactive power and system harmonics are compensated. In addition، high performance of power management section، and decreasing the output voltage and current THD can be obtained from simulation results.