The Experts below are selected from a list of 360 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Jaume Salom - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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evaluation of Energy Flexibility of low Energy residential buildings connected to district heating
Energy and Buildings, 2020Co-Authors: Kyriaki Foteinaki, Carsten Rode, Thibault Pean, Jaume SalomAbstract:Abstract Energy Flexibility is a cost-effective solution to facilitate secure operation of the Energy system while integrating large share of renewables. Thermal Energy infrastructure is a great asset for Flexibility in systems with widely developed district heating networks. The aim of the present work is to investigate the potential for low-Energy residential buildings to be operated flexibly, according to the needs of district heating system. An apartment block is studied, utilizing the storage capacity of thermal mass as storage medium. Two sets of data are utilized: heat load of Greater Copenhagen and dynamic heat production cost which is used as a price signal for the scheduling of the heating use in the building. Scenarios with different control signals are determined in order to achieve load shifting. The findings show that pre-heating is highly effective for load shifting and peak load reduction. During morning peak load hours, Energy use is reduced in all scenarios between 40% and 87%. Although with load shifting higher Energy use may occur, it occurs mostly at times when the city heat load is lower and heat production is less expensive and less carbon-intensive. Indoor temperature has a wider range and/or more fluctuations, yet remains within acceptable limits.
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price and carbon based Energy Flexibility of residential heating and cooling loads using model predictive control
Sustainable Cities and Society, 2019Co-Authors: Thibault Pean, Ramon Costacastello, Jaume SalomAbstract:Abstract Model predictive controllers (MPC) have shown great potential for activating the Energy Flexibility of thermal loads, especially in buildings equipped with heat pump systems. In this work, an MPC controller is developed and tested within a co-simulation framework which couples an optimization software with a dynamic building simulation tool. The development phase is described in detail, in particular the methods to obtain simplified models to be used by the controller. The building envelope and the heat pump performance (based on experimental data) were thus modelled, both in heating and cooling seasons. Three different objective functions of the MPC are tested on a study case consisting of a Spanish residential building: promising results are obtained when the controller aims at minimizing operational costs (savings of 13–29%) or CO2 marginal emissions (savings of 19–29%). The development efforts, the required tuning and sensitivity of the MPC algorithm parameters, the adaptations needed between the cooling and heating operations are also discussed and put into perspective with the obtained benefits in terms of savings, comfort and load-shifting.
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experimental testing of variable speed heat pump control strategies for enhancing Energy Flexibility in buildings
IEEE Access, 2019Co-Authors: Thibault Pean, Ramon Costacastello, Elena Fuentes, Jaume SalomAbstract:Thermal mass of buildings and domestic hot water tanks represent interesting sources of thermal Energy storage readily available in the existing building stock. To exploit them to their full potential, advanced control strategies and a coupling to the power grid with heat pump systems represent the most promising combination. In this paper, model predictive control (MPC) strategies are developed and tested in a semi-virtual environment laboratory setup: a real heat pump is operated from within a controlled climate chamber and coupled with loads of a virtual building, i.e., a detailed dynamic building simulation tool. Different MPC strategies are tested in this laboratory setup, with the goals to minimize either the delivered thermal Energy to the building, the operational costs of the heat pump, or the CO2 emissions related to the heat pump use. The results highlight the ability of the MPC controller to perform load-shifting by charging the thermal Energy storages at favorable times, and the satisfactory performance of the control strategies is analyzed in terms of different indicators, such as costs, comfort, carbon footprint, and Energy Flexibility. The practical challenges encountered during the implementation with a real heat pump are also discussed and provide additional valuable insights.
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review of control strategies for improving the Energy Flexibility provided by heat pump systems in buildings
Journal of Process Control, 2019Co-Authors: Thibault Pean, Jaume Salom, Ramon CostacastelloAbstract:Abstract The present work constitutes a review of the existing literature on supervisory control for improving the Energy Flexibility provided by heat pumps in buildings. A distinction was drawn between rule-based controls (RBC) and model predictive controls (MPC), given the clear differences in their concept and complexity. For both kinds, the different objectives claimed by these strategies have been reviewed, as well as the control inputs, disturbances and constraints. Notably in MPC, the monetary objective (reduction of the Energy costs) has been the most utilized in the literature, therefore the authors advocate for the further study of other objectives related to Energy Flexibility. Further than the control strategies themselves, the different thermal storage options (necessary to activate the Flexibility) have also been reviewed, the built-in thermal mass seeming more cost-effective than water buffer tanks in this regard. Based on these conclusions, recommendations for further research topics are drawn.
Thibault Pean - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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evaluation of Energy Flexibility of low Energy residential buildings connected to district heating
Energy and Buildings, 2020Co-Authors: Kyriaki Foteinaki, Carsten Rode, Thibault Pean, Jaume SalomAbstract:Abstract Energy Flexibility is a cost-effective solution to facilitate secure operation of the Energy system while integrating large share of renewables. Thermal Energy infrastructure is a great asset for Flexibility in systems with widely developed district heating networks. The aim of the present work is to investigate the potential for low-Energy residential buildings to be operated flexibly, according to the needs of district heating system. An apartment block is studied, utilizing the storage capacity of thermal mass as storage medium. Two sets of data are utilized: heat load of Greater Copenhagen and dynamic heat production cost which is used as a price signal for the scheduling of the heating use in the building. Scenarios with different control signals are determined in order to achieve load shifting. The findings show that pre-heating is highly effective for load shifting and peak load reduction. During morning peak load hours, Energy use is reduced in all scenarios between 40% and 87%. Although with load shifting higher Energy use may occur, it occurs mostly at times when the city heat load is lower and heat production is less expensive and less carbon-intensive. Indoor temperature has a wider range and/or more fluctuations, yet remains within acceptable limits.
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price and carbon based Energy Flexibility of residential heating and cooling loads using model predictive control
Sustainable Cities and Society, 2019Co-Authors: Thibault Pean, Ramon Costacastello, Jaume SalomAbstract:Abstract Model predictive controllers (MPC) have shown great potential for activating the Energy Flexibility of thermal loads, especially in buildings equipped with heat pump systems. In this work, an MPC controller is developed and tested within a co-simulation framework which couples an optimization software with a dynamic building simulation tool. The development phase is described in detail, in particular the methods to obtain simplified models to be used by the controller. The building envelope and the heat pump performance (based on experimental data) were thus modelled, both in heating and cooling seasons. Three different objective functions of the MPC are tested on a study case consisting of a Spanish residential building: promising results are obtained when the controller aims at minimizing operational costs (savings of 13–29%) or CO2 marginal emissions (savings of 19–29%). The development efforts, the required tuning and sensitivity of the MPC algorithm parameters, the adaptations needed between the cooling and heating operations are also discussed and put into perspective with the obtained benefits in terms of savings, comfort and load-shifting.
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experimental testing of variable speed heat pump control strategies for enhancing Energy Flexibility in buildings
IEEE Access, 2019Co-Authors: Thibault Pean, Ramon Costacastello, Elena Fuentes, Jaume SalomAbstract:Thermal mass of buildings and domestic hot water tanks represent interesting sources of thermal Energy storage readily available in the existing building stock. To exploit them to their full potential, advanced control strategies and a coupling to the power grid with heat pump systems represent the most promising combination. In this paper, model predictive control (MPC) strategies are developed and tested in a semi-virtual environment laboratory setup: a real heat pump is operated from within a controlled climate chamber and coupled with loads of a virtual building, i.e., a detailed dynamic building simulation tool. Different MPC strategies are tested in this laboratory setup, with the goals to minimize either the delivered thermal Energy to the building, the operational costs of the heat pump, or the CO2 emissions related to the heat pump use. The results highlight the ability of the MPC controller to perform load-shifting by charging the thermal Energy storages at favorable times, and the satisfactory performance of the control strategies is analyzed in terms of different indicators, such as costs, comfort, carbon footprint, and Energy Flexibility. The practical challenges encountered during the implementation with a real heat pump are also discussed and provide additional valuable insights.
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review of control strategies for improving the Energy Flexibility provided by heat pump systems in buildings
Journal of Process Control, 2019Co-Authors: Thibault Pean, Jaume Salom, Ramon CostacastelloAbstract:Abstract The present work constitutes a review of the existing literature on supervisory control for improving the Energy Flexibility provided by heat pumps in buildings. A distinction was drawn between rule-based controls (RBC) and model predictive controls (MPC), given the clear differences in their concept and complexity. For both kinds, the different objectives claimed by these strategies have been reviewed, as well as the control inputs, disturbances and constraints. Notably in MPC, the monetary objective (reduction of the Energy costs) has been the most utilized in the literature, therefore the authors advocate for the further study of other objectives related to Energy Flexibility. Further than the control strategies themselves, the different thermal storage options (necessary to activate the Flexibility) have also been reviewed, the built-in thermal mass seeming more cost-effective than water buffer tanks in this regard. Based on these conclusions, recommendations for further research topics are drawn.
Dirk Saelens - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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generic characterization method for Energy Flexibility applied to structural thermal storage in residential buildings
Applied Energy, 2017Co-Authors: Glenn Reynders, J Diriken, Dirk SaelensAbstract:Abstract The use of structural thermal storage is often suggested as a key technology to improve the penetration of renewable Energy sources and mitigate potential production and distribution capacity issues. Therefore, a quantitative assessment of the Energy Flexibility provided by structural thermal Energy storage is a prerequisite to instigate a large scale deployment of thermal mass as active storage technologies in an active demand response (ADR) context. In the first part of the work, a generic, simulation-based and dynamic quantification method is presented for the characterization of the ADR potential, or Energy Flexibility, of structural thermal Energy storage. The quantification method is based on three ADR characteristics – i.e. available storage capacity, storage efficiency and power-shifting capability – which can be used to quantify the ADR potential in both design and operation. In the second part of the work, the methodology is applied to quantify the ADR characteristics for the structural thermal Energy storage capacity for the different typologies of the Belgian residential building stock. Thereby an in-depth analysis demonstrates the relation between the building properties and its Energy Flexibility as well as the dependence of the Energy Flexibility on the dynamic boundary conditions.
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generic characterization method for Energy Flexibility applied to structural thermal storage in residential buildings
Applied Energy, 2017Co-Authors: Glenn Reynders, J Diriken, Dirk SaelensAbstract:The use of structural thermal storage is often suggested as a key technology to improve the penetration of renewable Energy sources and mitigate potential production and distribution capacity issues. Therefore, a quantitative assessment of the Energy Flexibility provided by structural thermal Energy storage is a prerequisite to instigate a large scale deployment of thermal mass as active storage technologies in an active demand response (ADR) context.
Henrik Madsen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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implementing Flexibility into Energy planning models soft linking of a high level Energy planning model and a short term operational model
Applied Energy, 2020Co-Authors: Dominik Franjo Dominkovic, Karen Byskov Lindberg, Rune Gronborg Junker, Henrik MadsenAbstract:Abstract The operation of electric and heat grids alike is complicated due to the dynamic demand, with the increasing penetration of renewable Energy sources adding to the problem. In order to improve the integration of variable renewable Energy sources, the Flexibility of the system needs to be improved. This paper proposed a novel characterization of the short-term Energy Flexibility, which was further utilized for the district heating capacity extension. The soft-linking of the models includes feedback, but the added computational complexity is kept at a minimum. Compared to the other literature in the field, due to the accurate characterization of the dynamics of the Energy Flexibility, Flexibility is utilized much more frequently. The method was demonstrated for the case of the district heating of Zagreb. Results showed that both capital and operational savings can be achieved by adopting the proposed method. In the best performing scenario, which included the capacity extension planning, the savings of the district heating system were 5.4%. The extensive power exchange in the best performing scenario meant that the Flexibility was used to help balancing the power grid as well.
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Stochastic nonlinear modelling and application of price-based Energy Flexibility
2020Co-Authors: Rune Junker, Carsten Kallesøe, Jaume Real, Bianca Howard, Rui Lopes, Henrik MadsenAbstract:If CO2-emissions are to be reduced, the shares of renewable Energy sources will have to be significantly increased. However, Energy Flexibility is required to cope with the increased share of renewable Energy. Utilising it necessitates mathematical models of the operational response of Energy flexible consumers. In this paper we present an accurate and general dynamic model of Energy Flexibility based on stochastic differential equations. The intuitive interpretation of the parameters is explained, to show the generality of the proposed model. To validate the approach, the parameters are estimated for three water towers and three buildings controlled by economic model predictive controllers. The model is then used to offer the Energy Flexibility on the current electricity market of Scandinavia, Nord Pool, using the so called ”flexi orders”. Finally, the Energy Flexibility is used by controlling the demand of the water towers indirectly, through price signals designed based on the proposed model. Compared to having perfect foresight of electricity prices and future demand, between 63% and 98% of the potential savings were obtained in for these case studies. This shows that even without direct control of Energy flexible systems, most of the potential can be reached under the current market condition
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designing individual penalty signals for improved Energy Flexibility utilisation
IFAC-PapersOnLine, 2019Co-Authors: Rune Gronborg Junker, Rishi Relan, Henrik MadsenAbstract:Abstract The Energy Flexibility associated with Energy consumption must be exploited to accommodate more fluctuating renewable Energy. The only solution that enables this without violating privacy concerns is penalty-based control, where penalty signals are designed to give incentives for the consumers to adjust their demand according to the needs of the grid. Designing the penalty signals is a challenging task due to different Flexibility potential offered by various Energy consuming systems. In this paper, it is shown that the best utilisation of Energy Flexibility requires individual penalty signals tuned towards the Energy Flexibility of each consumer. Here, we present a very simple yet novel approach for designing such individual penalty signals for each consumer, such that the value of the Energy Flexibility is increased, for both the grid operators and the consumers.
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characterizing the Energy Flexibility of buildings and districts
Applied Energy, 2018Co-Authors: Rune Gronborg Junker, Rishi Relan, Armin Ghasem Azar, Rui Amaral Lopes, Karen Byskov Lindberg, Glenn Reynders, Henrik MadsenAbstract:Abstract The large penetration rate of renewable Energy sources leads to challenges in planning and controlling the Energy production, transmission, and distribution in power systems. A potential solution is found in a paradigm shift from traditional supply control to demand control. To address such changes, a first step lays in a formal and robust characterization of the Energy Flexibility on the demand side. The most common way to characterize the Energy Flexibility is by considering it as a static function at every time instant. The validity of this approach is questionable because Energy-based systems are never at steady-state. Therefore, in this paper, a novel methodology to characterize the Energy Flexibility as a dynamic function is proposed, which is titled as the Flexibility Function. The Flexibility Function brings new possibilities for enabling the grid operators or other operators to control the demand through the use of penalty signals (e.g., price, CO2, etc.). For instance, CO2-based controllers can be used to accelerate the transition to a fossil-free society. Contrary to previous static approaches to quantify Energy Flexibility, the dynamic nature of the Flexibility Function enables a Flexibility Index, which describes to which extent a building is able to respond to the grid’s need for Flexibility. In order to validate the proposed methodologies, a case study is presented, demonstrating how different Flexibility Functions enable the utilization of the Flexibility in different types of buildings, which are integrated with renewable energies.
Glenn Reynders - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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characterizing the Energy Flexibility of buildings and districts
Applied Energy, 2018Co-Authors: Rune Gronborg Junker, Rishi Relan, Armin Ghasem Azar, Rui Amaral Lopes, Karen Byskov Lindberg, Glenn Reynders, Henrik MadsenAbstract:Abstract The large penetration rate of renewable Energy sources leads to challenges in planning and controlling the Energy production, transmission, and distribution in power systems. A potential solution is found in a paradigm shift from traditional supply control to demand control. To address such changes, a first step lays in a formal and robust characterization of the Energy Flexibility on the demand side. The most common way to characterize the Energy Flexibility is by considering it as a static function at every time instant. The validity of this approach is questionable because Energy-based systems are never at steady-state. Therefore, in this paper, a novel methodology to characterize the Energy Flexibility as a dynamic function is proposed, which is titled as the Flexibility Function. The Flexibility Function brings new possibilities for enabling the grid operators or other operators to control the demand through the use of penalty signals (e.g., price, CO2, etc.). For instance, CO2-based controllers can be used to accelerate the transition to a fossil-free society. Contrary to previous static approaches to quantify Energy Flexibility, the dynamic nature of the Flexibility Function enables a Flexibility Index, which describes to which extent a building is able to respond to the grid’s need for Flexibility. In order to validate the proposed methodologies, a case study is presented, demonstrating how different Flexibility Functions enable the utilization of the Flexibility in different types of buildings, which are integrated with renewable energies.
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generic characterization method for Energy Flexibility applied to structural thermal storage in residential buildings
Applied Energy, 2017Co-Authors: Glenn Reynders, J Diriken, Dirk SaelensAbstract:Abstract The use of structural thermal storage is often suggested as a key technology to improve the penetration of renewable Energy sources and mitigate potential production and distribution capacity issues. Therefore, a quantitative assessment of the Energy Flexibility provided by structural thermal Energy storage is a prerequisite to instigate a large scale deployment of thermal mass as active storage technologies in an active demand response (ADR) context. In the first part of the work, a generic, simulation-based and dynamic quantification method is presented for the characterization of the ADR potential, or Energy Flexibility, of structural thermal Energy storage. The quantification method is based on three ADR characteristics – i.e. available storage capacity, storage efficiency and power-shifting capability – which can be used to quantify the ADR potential in both design and operation. In the second part of the work, the methodology is applied to quantify the ADR characteristics for the structural thermal Energy storage capacity for the different typologies of the Belgian residential building stock. Thereby an in-depth analysis demonstrates the relation between the building properties and its Energy Flexibility as well as the dependence of the Energy Flexibility on the dynamic boundary conditions.
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generic characterization method for Energy Flexibility applied to structural thermal storage in residential buildings
Applied Energy, 2017Co-Authors: Glenn Reynders, J Diriken, Dirk SaelensAbstract:The use of structural thermal storage is often suggested as a key technology to improve the penetration of renewable Energy sources and mitigate potential production and distribution capacity issues. Therefore, a quantitative assessment of the Energy Flexibility provided by structural thermal Energy storage is a prerequisite to instigate a large scale deployment of thermal mass as active storage technologies in an active demand response (ADR) context.