RED WoLF hybrid storage system: Comparison of CO2 and price targets

Abstract

Innovative control method is prosed for the RED WoLF hybrid storage system. The technology is aimed for residential dwellings and allows to reduce the load from the electrical grid during time with high CO2 emissions. The RED WoLF system consists of a battery, water cylinder, PV array and storage heaters. This technology allows the grid energy to be stored at the “greenest” time, in order to accommodate needs of dwellings with the aid of AI. The original RED WoLF algorithm is considerably improved, following modified progressive threshold approach up to additional 14% savings of CO2 could be obtained. Intriguingly, savings are only slightly lower than global possible mathematical minimum, for the system barred of predictions errors. However, the computation time of the proposed control method is lower by a few orders of magnitudes, with comparison to standard optimisation techniques. Furthermore, the investigation on 11 months period was performed in order find out if there is significant difference between following a time of use tariff or an environmental signal. Results, suggest that the differences are minor in both cases following any signal improves the used energy quality. Although, the price signal has been affected slightly more to the choice of a target. Finally, the average system composition with 2 kWh battery and 4 kW PV array provides reduction by 55%–60% of both CO2 emissions and the bill. Such achievement could potentially lead to smooth substitution of carbon intensive residential systems with gas and oil heaters.