Optimal scheduling of residential loads with renewable energy and energy storage: a techno-economic analysis

Abstract

The increasing penetration of renewable energy resources and electric vehicles in residential power systems has intensified the need for intelligent load scheduling strategies to ensure economic and reliable operation. This paper presents an optimal scheduling framework for domestic electrical loads integrated with rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV), wind energy systems, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and grid connectivity under the Indian electricity mix. A typical residential load profile incorporating household appliances and electric vehicle charging demand is considered for a 24-hour scheduling horizon.
A mathematical model of the hybrid residential energy system is developed, accounting for renewable generation variability, battery charging–discharging constraints, time-varying electricity tariffs, and net-metering policies. The optimization objective is formulated to minimize the total daily energy cost while maintaining user comfort and operational constraints of the energy storage system. Solar and wind generation profiles are derived from typical Indian meteorological conditions, and residential demand patterns are modeled using standard household appliance usage schedules.
Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed optimal scheduling strategy reduces grid energy consumption by approximately 28–35% compared to an unscheduled baseline case. The daily electricity cost is reduced by nearly 30%, primarily due to effective utilization of renewable generation and strategic charging of the battery during off-peak tariff periods. Furthermore, coordinated scheduling of EV charging significantly alleviates peak demand stress, achieving peak load reduction of about 20% without compromising charging requirements. The inclusion of BESS enables improved self-consumption of renewable energy and enhances system flexibility under variable generation conditions.
The findings indicate that intelligent domestic load scheduling with integrated renewable energy sources and storage can substantially improve economic performance and grid friendliness of residential energy systems in India. The proposed framework provides a scalable and practical solution for future smart homes and supports national objectives related to renewable energy integration and electric mobility adoption.