This guide is written for users that are familiar with OpenADR specifications. Use this document to help you install and configure the OpenADR – DRAS Simple Client Driver.
Open Automated Demand Response (OpenADR) is an Open specification that describes demand response management. This specification helps achieve efficient energy usage by providing an infrastructure where energy utility services send Demand Response (DR) signals to consumers. The DRAS Simple Client Driver is an OpenADR driver for Niagara that can communicate with the Demand Response Automated Server (DRAS) at the Akuacom energy utility company (California, USA). When properly configured, the driver receives demand response signals from the server.
Consumers choose to be participants in the event communication process. The communication process helps participants understand the energy rates and dynamic pricing that are based on peak hour load. Participants may decide to shed energy loads based on their own needs and the current cost of electricity. The OpenADR specification does not specify the implementation requirements but rather provides an open specification for the interested parties to implement.
The following illustration shows an example scenario where a utility communicates demand - response information with the DRAS server. The DRAS communicates with a NiagaraAX station client participant, sharing Load Level and Event Status data.
Figure 1. Example DRAS Simple Client Driver communications
Based on this simple communication, the participant can choose to implement load shed strategies. These load shed strategies are controlled by the participant’s building automation system.
The following figure shows some different Operation Mode transitions as they occur during the ACTIVE period of the DR event. These transitions of the Operation Mode value could be caused either by the EventInfoInstance of the DR event changing values or by a transition from one OperationStateSpec to another within a ResponseSchedule.
Figure 2. Example DR Event state mode
For more information about event status, see the Event Status property information in the About the DRAS Event section.
To learn more about OpenADR refer to the following:
OpenADR website:
http://www.openadrcollaborative.org/
Open Automated Demand Response Communications Specification (Version 1.0)
http://openadr.lbl.gov/pdf/cec-500-2009-063.pdf
Target platform and software requirements
NiagaraAX Platform
This driver may be used in NiagaraAX-3.5.25.2 (or higher) stations that are running on either QNX® or Microsoft® Windows® based controller platforms.
Limitations and known issues
This driver has been developed and tested against Akuacom servers only.
The event XML format used by this driver for communication is specific to Akuacom DRAS servers.