STRUCTURAL MODELING OF ENERGY DEMAND IN THE RESIDENTIAL SECTOR .2. THE USE OF LINGUISTIC VARIABLES TO INCLUDE UNCERTAINTY OF CUSTOMERS BEHAVIOR

We present a new concept of modelling energy-using behaviour of reside ntial customers by the use of linguistic variables and a fuzzy logic a pproach. Trapezoidal- and delta-shaped fuzzy filters were applied to t ransfer uncertainties of customer declarations expressed in linguistic variables into parameters of structural models. This approach involve s individual treatment of each customer. In surveys of energy consumpt ion, precise description of appliance uses is practically impossible. Thus, fuzzy models are appropriate. The method is especially useful fo r small- and mid-size samples of customers who are connected to the sa me supply feeder or living in a chosen area. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.