Influence of Sector Coupling in Future Inner City Low Voltage Grids

Abstract

This work analyses the influence of photovoltaics, battery electric vehicles and heat pumps, that will be present in future low voltage grids. It focuses on network elements and stability, the resulting changes regarding energy flow, as well as the interdependencies among the technologies. Furthermore, the grid convenience of electrical and heat storages in combination with the technologies above is analyzed to reduce the negative effects on the grid and to improve the self-consumption of energy from photovoltaics.The simulations are based on real data measured in a low voltage grid in the city of Cologne. The grid is supplied from one power station and contains 29 multifamily homes as well as one public building. The grid bears development potential with a maximum transformer load of currently 44% and a maximum grid load of 37%.In the result, PV-storage systems can be combined grid friendly with battery electric vehicles. Heat pumps in contrast cause hard to predict, seasonal differences in the load profile which need intelligent storage management to reduce the negative effects on the grid. PV is not capable of reducing the influence of heat pumps on the grid, due to the seasonal differences in demand and generation of energy.