energies Article Load Shifting and Peak Clipping for Reducing Energy Consumption in an Indian University Campus Rajavelu Dharani 1, Madasamy Balasubramonian 1, Thanikanti Sudhakar Babu 2 and Benedetto Nastasi 3,* 1 Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Alagappa Chettiar Government College of Engineering and Technology, Karaikudi, India; [email protected] (R.D.); [email protected] (M.B.) 2 Department of Electrical Power Engineering, Institute of Power Engineering, Universiti Tenaga National (UNITEN), Kajang, Malaysia; [email protected] 3 Department of Planning, Design, and Technology of Architecture, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Flaminia 72, 00196 Rome, Italy * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: This paper analyzes the intelligent use of time-varying electrical load via developing efficient energy utilization patterns using demand-side management (DSM) strategies. This approach helps distribution utilities decrease maximum demand and electrical energy billing costs. A case study of DSM implementation of electric energy utility for an educational building Alagappa Chettiar Government College of Engineering and Technology (ACGCET) campus was simulated. The new optimum energy load model was established for peak and off-peak periods from the system’s existing load profile using peak clipping and load shifting DSM techniques. The result reflects a significant reduction in maximum demand from 189 kW to 170 kW and a reduction in annual electricity billing cost from $11,340 to $10,200 (approximately 10%) in the upgraded system. This work highlights the importance of time of day (TOD) tariff structure consumers that aid reduction in their distribution system’s maximum demand and demand charges. Citation: Dharani, R.; Keywords: building energy flexibility; HOMER software; peak clipping; load shifting; energy saving Balasubramonian, M.; Babu, T.S.; Nastasi, B. Load Shifting and Peak Clipping for Reducing Energy Consumption in an Indian University 1. Introduction Campus. Energies 2021, 14, 558. The rising energy demands of further population and industrial growth, shortage of https://doi.org/10.3390/en14030558 fuel for power plants, and increasing costs of electrical energy require a more advanced, secure power system structure all over the world for economic growth [1] and satisfaction Received: 8 December 2020 of energy consumers as well as conceiving innovative technologies [2]. This leads to a Accepted: 19 January 2021 higher value of energy required to supply the needs of industrial, commercial, and all Published: 22 January 2021 other categories of end-user [3]. Like in most of the countries, India also encourages the initiate energy efficiency activities (Energy conservation Act 2001) based on Japan’s Energy Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral Conservation (EC) Guidelines through Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), which is an with regard to jurisdictional claims in agency of the Indian Minister of Energy. Activities carried out to prepare EC guidelines are published maps and institutional affil- (i) performance audits and sectoral study reports, (ii) original equipment manufacturers, iations. (iii) industries, (iv) sectoral experts, (v) stakeholder consultations with industries and industry associations, and (vi) secondary sources such as relevant websites. It provides direction for the preparation of its own “Energy Management planning Handbook” for the efficient operation of various types of energy consumer such as commercial, industrial, Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. and educational institute buildings. The main components of the guidelines are man- Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. agement and control; it plays a vital role in the energy conservation process in India [4]. This article is an open access article As result of the follow-up to these guidelines, the actual power deficit was reduced from distributed under the terms and 0.6% to 0.5% for the financial year 2019–2020, and the peak power deficit was reduced from conditions of the Creative Commons 0.8% to 0.7%, as reported by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) [5]. Figure1 shows Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ the present Indian Energy scenario: power generation and peak demand deficit. In this 4.0/). scenario, to further reduce the deficit like other developing countries, a simple and cheap Energies 2021, 14, 558. https://doi.org/10.3390/en14030558 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/energies Energies 2021, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 16 Energies 2021, 14, 558 from 0.8% to 0.7%, as reported by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) [5]. Figure2 of 16 1 shows the present Indian Energy scenario: power generation and peak demand deficit. In this scenario, to further reduce the deficit like other developing countries, a simple and cheapalternative alternative is essential is essential to provide to provide reliable reliable electricity electricity service andservice to attain and to the attain objective the objec- of tivebecoming of becoming a nation a nation of surplus of surplus electricity electric for theity growth for the ofgrowth a country’s of a country’s economy economy [6]. [6]. Figure 1. Present Indian Energy scenario: power generation and peak demand deficit from 2009–2021 as per the Central Figure 1. Present Indian Energy scenario: power generation and peak demand deficit from 2009–2021 as per the Central Electricity Authority (CEA). Electricity Authority (CEA). The continued growth and development of new power plants in particular of renew- ableThe energy continued plant units growth can and minimize development the gap of between new power supply plants and in demand. particular However, of renew- ablethe energy integration plant of units renewable can minimize electricity the generation gap between systems supply in and most demand. countries However, is impos- the integrationsible because of ofrenewable resource restrictionselectricity generation like wind, solarsystems radiation, in most and countries storage capacityis impossible or becauselocal geographical of resource limitationrestrictions for like energy wind, harvesting solar radiation, [7,8]. To and control storage this capacity status, a well-or local geographicaldeveloped form limitation of a power for managementenergy harvesting system [7,8]. is essential To control to provide this status, for the a continued well-devel- opedsupply form and of tradea power of electricity management in a country.system is The essential power to management provide for systemthe continued is classified supply andinto trade two of main electricity categories in a such country. as supply-side The power management management and system demand-side is classified manage- into two mainment categories (DSM) [9]. such The firstas supply-side one focuses ma onnagement enhancing and the operatingdemand-side efficiency management of electricity (DSM) [9].production, The first one transmission focuses on and enhancing distribution. the Aop mainlyerating efficientefficiency generation of electricity of energy production, at a transmissionminimum cost, and by distribution. meeting the A energy mainly demand efficient without generation adding of energy a new at plant, a minimum decreases cost, the impact on the environment by operating the electricity system efficiently [10]. On the by meeting the energy demand without adding a new plant, decreases the impact on the other hand, DSM deal with consumers/utilities load levels and usage models and it is environment by operating the electricity system efficiently [10]. On the other hand, DSM insensitive to external factors. Therefore, for the past few decades, many countries decided dealto implement with consumers/utilities energy conservation load levels activities and mainly usage models through and the it DSM is insensitive approach to in external addi- factors.tion with Therefore, other simple for the approaches past few suchdecades, as using many energy-efficient countries decided equipment/appliances, to implement energy conservationsmart power activities strips, and mainly setting through up a programmable the DSM approach or intelligent in addition thermostat with inother various simple approachestypes of consumers such as using by giving energy-efficient contributions equipment/appliances, in electricity bill tariffs andsmart offer power energy strips, moti- and settingvation up programs a programmable that help make or intelligent energy efficiency thermostat a more in affordable various types and easy of consumers model [11]. by givingAmong contributions these, a lot of in research electricity focused bill ontariff thes DSMand approachoffer energy in terms motivation of load controlprograms tech- that helpniques, make economical energy efficiency benefits, a effects more onaffordable various kindsand easy of consumers, model [11]. role Among in the these, electricity a lot of researchmarket, impactfocused on on the the power DSM system approach reliability, in te etc.rms [ 12of– load15]. It control is implemented techniques, with economical exciting benefits,outcomes effects in different on various countries. kind DSMs of consumers, is has been demonstratedrole in the electricity as an essential market, strategy impact to on theachieve power energy system conservation reliability, andetc. to[12–15]. reduce It emissions is implemented in many with studies exciting in China outcomes [16]. It also in dif- ferentplays countries. a leading roleDSM in is real-time has been electricity demonstrat