Evaluating the magnitude and duration of cold load pick-up on residential distribution using multi-state load models

• Published in: IEEE transactions on power systems 2016-09, Vol.31 (5), p.3765-3774
• Main Authors: Schneider, Kevin P., Sortomme, Eric, Venkata, S. S., Miller, Melanie T., Ponder, Leslie
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cold load pick-up; distribution system analysis; Heat pumps; Load modeling; Mathematical model; power modeling; power simulation; Process control; Resistance heating; Solar heating; Waste heat
• ISSN: 0885-8950; 1558-0679
• DOI: 10.1109/TPWRS.2015.2494882

The increased level of demand that is associated with the restoration of service after an outage, Cold Load Pick-Up (CLPU), can be significantly higher than pre-outage levels, even exceeding the normal distribution feeder peak demand. These high levels of demand can delay restoration efforts and in extreme cases damage equipment. The negative impacts of CLPU can be mitigated with strategies that restore the feeder in sections, minimizing the load current. The challenge for utilities is to manage the current level on critical equipment while minimizing the time to restore service to all customers. Accurately modeling CLPU events is the first step in developing improved restoration strategies that minimize restoration times. This paper presents a new method for evaluating the magnitude of the CLPU peak, and its duration, using multi-state load models. The use of multi-state load models allows for a more accurate representation of the end-use loads that are present on residential distribution feeders.