Comparison of Flexibility Factors and Introduction of A Flexibility Classification Using Advanced Heat Pump Control

Monika Hall and Achim Geissler
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Monika Hall: Institute of Sustainability and Energy in Construction, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, CH-4132 Muttenz, Switzerland
Achim Geissler: Institute of Sustainability and Energy in Construction, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, CH-4132 Muttenz, Switzerland

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 24, 1-19

Abstract: With the increasing use of renewable energy, the energy flexibility of buildings becomes increasingly important regarding grid support. Therefore, there is a need to describe this flexibility in a concise manner. For the characterization of building energy flexibility, flexibility factors can be used. The comparison of a selection of existing flexibility factors shows that they are not easy to use or understand for designers and users. A simplification is necessary. The aim of this study is to introduce a flexibility classification that is easy to understand and shows in an easy way if a building already uses the lowest energy cost level or if further improvement is possible. The classification expresses the annual energy costs in colored classes: green (class A) for lowest up to red (class D) for highest level. Basically, the flexibility classes can be derived for any metric of interest, in this paper examples are shown for energy costs and CO 2eq emissions. The results given are based on the simulation of load management scenarios with different penalty signals applied for the heat pump operation of a residential building.

Keywords: energy flexible buildings; flexibility factors; flexibility classification; heat pump control; penalty signals; load management; demand response; energy cost; CO 2eq emissions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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