Assessing the Demand Side Management Potential and the Energy Flexibility of Heat Pumps in Buildings

Alessia Arteconi,Fabio Polonara

doi:10.3390/en11071846

Abstract

The energy demand in buildings represents a considerable share of the overall energy use. Given the significance and acknowledged flexibility of thermostatically controlled loads, they represent an interesting option for the implementation of demand side management (DSM) strategies. In this paper, an overview of the possible DSM applications in the field of air conditioning and heat pumps is provided. In particular, the focus is on the heat pump sector. Three case studies are analyzed in order to assess the energy flexibility provided by DSM technologies classified as energy efficient devices, energy storage systems, and demand response programs. The load shifting potential, in terms of power and time, is evaluated by varying the system configuration. Main findings show that energy efficient devices perform strategic conservation and peak shaving strategies, energy storage systems perform load shifting, while demand response programs perform peak shaving and valley filling strategies.

Highlights

Energy consumption in the residential sector represents about 40% of the total energy use both in Europe and in the US [1,2]
An overview of the demand side management strategies that can be implemented in the field of air conditioning and heat pumps is presented
The different demand side management (DSM) available technologies have been categorized into three groups: energy efficient devices, energy storage, and demand response (DR)

Summary

Introduction

Energy consumption in the residential sector represents about 40% of the total energy use both in Europe and in the US [1,2]. Heating and cooling in buildings have a high share of the overall energy use. Air conditioners are responsible on average for around 5% of global electricity consumption, with a variable percentage country by country In India) [3], and such share is expected to grow due to the increasing refrigeration demand due to global warming. The relevance of heat pumps is increasing; in 2015 about 800,000 units were sold in Europe and a growing trend in sales is estimated for the coming years [4]. In buildings there are several deferrable loads (e.g., laundry machines and dish washers) and thermostatically controlled loads (TCL), such as heat pumps, refrigerators, and air conditioners

Objectives

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion