Temporal resolution of photovoltaic electricity production with school energy consumption: a London primary school case study

Abstract

In line with the UK goal to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, the combination of photovoltaic electricity and the electrification of heating systems is considered an effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while 88% of schools in the UK are gas-heated. This paper analyses the electricity consumption at a 15 and 30 min resolution of different scenarios for the retrofitting of a primary school in London, UK, with an electrified heating system and the electricity production of different PV installations. High temporal resolution allows consideration of economic balances, in light of rising costs of energy in the UK in 2022, and the possibilities PV can have on decarbonizing heating systems in UK primary schools. Practical application - The high temporal resolution allows to provide a project economic balance with close to reality figures. It also allows schools to rely on energy produced on site with less price fluctuation and to have the educational benefit of the PV installation. The high temporal resolution also provides data on what types of activities are the most energy consuming and can inform behaviour/time schedules changes.