scholarly journals Building decarbonisation transition pathways

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Lowe ◽  
Tadeusz Oreszczyn
Keyword(s):  
System Analysis ◽  
District Heating ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Heat Pumps ◽  
Learning By Doing ◽  
Technology Choice ◽  
Electricity Grid ◽  
Need To Evaluate

The problem of decarbonising heating in buildings has been studied for more than 20 years, but there is still no settled consensus on strategy or choice of technology. There is consensus that the problem requires analysis of the whole energy system. Recent literature based on whole system analysis appears to indicate that heat pumps are likely offer the cheapest decarbonisation option overall, achieving an immediate factor of three reduction in emissions, with the promise of close to zero emissions by 2030, as a consequence of a phenomenon that now appears unstoppable – the decarbonisation of electricity generation. Though some dwellings would also benefit from additional insulation to increase health and comfort, the overall role of insulation in decarbonisation is likely to be secondary. High levels of insulation are not essential to the deployment of heat pumps and are only likely to be cost effective in easy-to-treat properties. But technology choice is not an either-or question. Combinations of technology, such as hybrid heat pumps, and deployment of large heat pumps in district heating systems, offer obvious advantages. And if the role of hydrogen as a vector for supplying heat to individual homes appears limited on overall cost grounds, hydrogen or hydrogen-derived fuels are likely to play a strategic role in providing backup for the electricity grid at multiple levels, including the very long-term energy storage that will be needed from about 2040 onwards. Sifting through the multiple combinations and configurations of technologies that are, and will become available over the coming 30 years will be an on-going activity. In this context, a key recent development is an understanding of the need to complement conventional energy modelling with the tools of System Architecture. In addition, there is an ongoing need to evaluate and marshal evidence to establish what works and why, and to enhance learning-by-doing by bridging the gaps between research, innovation and communities of practice.

scholarly journals Enabling Technologies for Sector Coupling: A Review on the Role of Heat Pumps and Thermal Energy Storage

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (24) ◽  
pp. 8195
Author(s):  
Omais Abdur Rehman ◽  
Valeria Palomba ◽  
Andrea Frazzica ◽  
Luisa F. Cabeza
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
District Heating ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Heat Pumps ◽  
Enabling Technologies

In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, current and future energy systems need to be made more efficient and sustainable. This change can be accomplished by increasing the penetration of renewable energy sources and using efficient technologies in energy generation systems. One way to improve the operation of the whole energy system is through the generation and end-use sector coupling. Power-to-heat energy conversion and storage technologies, in this view, are enabling technologies that can help in balancing and improving the efficiency of both thermal and electric grids. In the present paper, a comprehensive analysis of the role of heat pumps and thermal energy storage for sector coupling is presented. The main features of the analyzed technologies are presented in the context of smart electric grid, district heating and cooling and multi-carrier energy systems, and recent findings and developments are highlighted. Finally, the technical, social, and economic challenges in the adoption of investigated technologies are discussed.

scholarly journals A Method for Optimizing and Spatially Distributing Heating Systems by Coupling an Urban Energy Simulation Platform and an Energy System Model

Resources ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 52
Author(s):  
Annette Steingrube ◽  
Keyu Bao ◽  
Stefan Wieland ◽  
Andrés Lalama ◽  
Pithon M. Kabiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
District Heating ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Heat Pumps ◽  
Energy Simulation ◽  
Heating Systems ◽  
Optimal Amount ◽  
Urban City ◽  
Urban Energy ◽  
Building Level

District heating is seen as an important concept to decarbonize heating systems and meet climate mitigation goals. However, the decision related to where central heating is most viable is dependent on many different aspects, like heating densities or current heating structures. An urban energy simulation platform based on 3D building objects can improve the accuracy of energy demand calculation on building level, but lacks a system perspective. Energy system models help to find economically optimal solutions for entire energy systems, including the optimal amount of centrally supplied heat, but do not usually provide information on building level. Coupling both methods through a novel heating grid disaggregation algorithm, we propose a framework that does three things simultaneously: optimize energy systems that can comprise all demand sectors as well as sector coupling, assess the role of centralized heating in such optimized energy systems, and determine the layouts of supplying district heating grids with a spatial resolution on the street level. The algorithm is tested on two case studies; one, an urban city quarter, and the other, a rural town. In the urban city quarter, district heating is economically feasible in all scenarios. Using heat pumps in addition to CHPs increases the optimal amount of centrally supplied heat. In the rural quarter, central heat pumps guarantee the feasibility of district heating, while standalone CHPs are more expensive than decentral heating technologies.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Potential Contribution of District Heating to the Flexibility of the Future Italian Power System

Energies ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 584
Author(s):  
Chiara Magni ◽  
Sylvain Quoilin ◽  
Alessia Arteconi
Keyword(s):  
Power Systems ◽  
Power System ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
District Heating ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Heat Pumps ◽  
Electricity Sector ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
The Future ◽  
Promising Solution

Flexibility is crucial to enable the penetration of high shares of renewables in the power system while ensuring the security and affordability of the electricity dispatch. In this regard, heat–electricity sector coupling technologies are considered a promising solution for the integration of flexible devices such as thermal storage units and heat pumps. The deployment of these devices would also enable the decarbonization of the heating sector, responsible for around half of the energy consumption in the EU, of which 75% is currently supplied by fossil fuels. This paper investigates in which measure the diffusion of district heating (DH) coupled with thermal energy storage (TES) units can contribute to the overall system flexibility and to the provision of operating reserves for energy systems with high renewable penetration. The deployment of two different DH supply technologies, namely combined heat and power units (CHP) and large-scale heat pumps (P2HT), is modeled and compared in terms of performance. The case study analyzed is the future Italian energy system, which is simulated through the unit commitment and optimal dispatch model Dispa-SET. Results show that DH coupled with heat pumps and CHP units could enable both costs and emissions related to the heat–electricity sector to be reduced by up to 50%. DH systems also proved to be a promising solution to grant the flexibility and resilience of power systems with high shares of renewables by significantly reducing the curtailment of renewables and cost-optimally providing up to 15% of the total upward reserve requirements.

scholarly journals Optimization of emission reducing energy retrofits in Finnish apartment buildings

2019 ◽  
Vol 111 ◽  
pp. 03002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janne Hirvonen ◽  
Juha Jokisalo ◽  
Juhani Heljo ◽  
Risto Kosonen
Keyword(s):  
Heat Pump ◽  
Life Cycle Cost ◽  
District Heating ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Heat Pumps ◽  
Apartment Buildings ◽  
Ground Source ◽  
Reduce Emissions

This study examined the cost-optimality of energy renovation on Finnish apartment buildings of different ages, built according to different energy performance requirements. Multi-objective optimization was utilized to minimize both CO2 emissions and life cycle cost (LCC). IDA-ICE simulations were performed to obtain the hourly heating demand of the buildings. Four building age classes and three heating systems (district heating, exhaust air heat pump and ground-source heat pump) were separately optimized. With district heating, it was possible to reduce emissions by 11%, while also reducing LCC. With heat pumps cost-savings could be achieved while reducing emissions by over 49%. With maximal (not cost-effective) investments, emissions could be reduced by more than 70% in all examined cases. In all cases, the cheapest solutions included solar electricity and sewage heat recovery. In old buildings, window upgrades and additional roof insulation were cost-effective. In new buildings, demand-based ventilation was included in all optimal solutions.

scholarly journals Design of Renewable and System-Beneficial District Heating Systems Using a Dynamic Emission Factor for Grid-Sourced Electricity

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 619 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Röder ◽  
David Beier ◽  
Benedikt Meyer ◽  
Joris Nettelstroth ◽  
Torben Stührmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emission Factor ◽  
Electricity Generation ◽  
Unit Commitment ◽  
Dynamic Assessment ◽  
District Heating ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Local Dynamic ◽  
Electricity Grid ◽  
Heating Systems ◽  
District Heating Systems

In future energy scenarios with a high share of renewable energies within the electricity system, power-to-heat technologies could play a crucial role for achieving the climate goals in the heating sector. District heating systems can integrate volatile wind and photovoltaic energy sources and resolve congestions within the electricity grid, leading to curtailment of renewable electricity generation. This paper presents a design approach for setting up system-beneficial power-to-heat-based district energy systems. Within the scope of the project QUARREE100 an existing district in the provincial town Heide in Northern Germany is examined. A linear investment and unit commitment optimization model is applied. By considering local dynamic emission factors for grid-sourced electricity, which contain information on local wind energy curtailment as well as the emission intensity of the overall electricity generation, a renewable and system-beneficial design can be derived. With this method, the minimal rated power and capacity of energy converter and storage units can be determined to achieve emission reductions with respect to minimum costs. The approach of using different methods for the consideration of the emissions of grid-sourced electricity is analyzed based on different scenarios. By using a dynamic emission factor for grid-sourced electricity, lower emissions with fewer costs can be achieved. It is shown that a dynamic assessment leads to different design decisions and far-reaching deviations in the unit commitment. The results clearly show that a constant emission factor is no longer an option for grid-sourced electricity in urban energy system models.

scholarly journals The Role of the Latvian District Heating System in the Development of Sustainable Energy Supply

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (-1) ◽  
pp. 27-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gatis Bazbauers ◽  
Ginta Cimdina
Keyword(s):  
Wind Power ◽  
Energy Supply ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
District Heating ◽  
Heating System ◽  
Heat Pumps ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
District Heating System ◽  
Wind Power Plants

The Role of the Latvian District Heating System in the Development of Sustainable Energy Supply The aim of the study is to determine whether and to what extent it is possible to use excess electricity produced by wind power plants during low demand periods for district heat production by heat pumps. Energy system analysis on an hourly basis is conducted at various capacities of wind power plants. The results show that it is possible to increase the share of renewable energy sources, decrease the use of primary energy sources and CO2 emissions per unit of the produced energy, i.e. heat and electricity, by using the surplus electricity produced by wind power in the heat pumps combined with the heat storage.

scholarly journals The role of sector coupling in the green transition: A least-cost energy system development in North Europe towards 2050

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Gea Bermúdez ◽  
Marie Münster ◽  
Ida Græsted Jensen ◽  
Matti Juhani Koivisto ◽  
Jon Kirkerud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Capture ◽  
System Development ◽  
Carbon Capture And Storage ◽  
District Heating ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Onshore Wind ◽  
Energy System Model ◽  
Transmission Expansion ◽  
Wind Potential

<div>This paper analyses the role of sector coupling towards 2050 in the energy system of North Europe when pursuing the green transition. Impacts of restricted onshore wind potential and transmission expansion are considered. Optimisation of the capacity development and operation of the energy system towards 2050 is performed with the energy system model Balmorel. Generation, storage, transmission expansion, district heating, carbon capture and storage, and synthetic gas units compete with each other. The results show how sector coupling leads to a change of paradigm: The electricity system moves from a system where generation adapts to inflexible demand, to a system where flexible demand adapts to variable generation. Sector coupling increases electricity demand, variable renewable energy, heat storage, and electricity and district heating transmission expansion towards 2050. Allowing investments in onshore wind and electricity transmission reduces emissions and costs considerably (especially with high sector coupling) with savings of 78.7 EUR2016/person/year. Investments in electricity-to-heat units are key to reduce costs and emissions in the heat sector. The scenarios with the highest sector coupling achieve the highest emission reduction by 2045: 76% greenhouse gases reduction with respect to 1990 levels, which highlights the value of sector coupling to achieve the green transition.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>

scholarly journals Decarbonising power system with high share of renewables and optionally with or without nuclear, Slovenia case

2021 ◽  
pp. 342-342
Author(s):  
Joze Dimnik ◽  
Peter Novak ◽  
Simon Muhic
Keyword(s):  
Power System ◽  
System Analysis ◽  
Energy System ◽  
System Capacity ◽  
Power Sources ◽  
Distributed Power ◽  
Electricity Grid ◽  
National Power ◽  
Analysis Computer ◽  
Winter Time

The aim of this work is to highlight challenges, if there are any, in decarbonising national power system in Republic of Slovenia. National electricity grid was hourly simulated using EnergyPlan - Advanced energy system analysis computer model in circumstances where distributed power sources capacity exceeds peak system demand. The goal was to estimate the influence of 4400 MW distributed power production to the power grid with peak demand of up to 3000 MW, respecting the fact that distributed power sources partly meet demand in summer sunlight time, however modestly meets demand in winter time. Electricity demand in summer and winter time are of the same magnitude of order. Modest system capacity for electricity storage were respected and influence to cross border transmission demand was estimated. Chalenges related to grid stability were shown and how nuclear can improve grid stability is presented.

scholarly journals Optimal Energy Portfolios in the Heating Sector and Flexibility Potentials of Combined-Heat-Power Plants and District Heating Systems

2021 ◽  
pp. 219-234
Author(s):  
Maciej Raczyński ◽  
Artur Wyrwa ◽  
Marcin Pluta ◽  
Wojciech Suwała
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Emission Reduction ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
District Heating ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Heat Power ◽  
Heating Systems ◽  
District Heating Systems

AbstractThis chapter examines the role of centralized district heating (DH) systems in context of energy system flexibility and decarbonization. The analysis is performed by applying the model TIMES-Heat-EU. Capacity expansion and operation of the district heating generation units is mainly driven by the evolution of the district heating demand, which varies between the REFLEX scenarios. In all scenarios fuel and technology switches toward bioenergy and natural gas leading to CO2 emission reduction. Since the total amount of energy produced (both heat and electricity) is the highest in the High-RES centralized scenario, the corresponding CO2 emissions for district heating are the highest as well. The CO2 emissions can be reduced by ⁓60% in 2050 compared to 2015. Furthermore, the role of thermal energy storage and power-to-heat technologies is examined.

scholarly journals Synthesis and Optimal Operation of Smart Microgrids Serving a Cluster of Buildings on a Campus with Centralized and Distributed Hybrid Renewable Energy Units

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 745 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniele Testi ◽  
Paolo Conti ◽  
Eva Schito ◽  
Luca Urbanucci ◽  
Francesco D’Ettorre
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Combustion Engine ◽  
District Heating ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Heat Pumps ◽  
Optimal Operation ◽  
Optimal Control Strategy ◽  
Renewable Energy Technologies ◽  
Energy Technologies

Micro-district heating networks based on cogeneration plants and renewable energy technologies are considered efficient, viable and environmentally-friendly solutions to realizing smart multi-energy microgrids. Nonetheless, the energy production from renewable sources is intermittent and stochastic, and cogeneration units are characterized by fixed power-to-heat ratios, which are incompatible with fluctuating thermal and electric demands. These drawbacks can be partially overcome by smart operational controls that are capable of maximizing the energy system performance. Moreover, electrically driven heat pumps may add flexibility to the system, by shifting thermal loads into electric loads. In this paper, a novel configuration for smart multi-energy microgrids, which combines centralized and distributed energy units is proposed. A centralized cogeneration system, consisting of an internal combustion engine is connected to a micro-district heating network. Distributed electric heat pumps assist the thermal production at the building level, giving operational flexibility to the system and supporting the integration of renewable energy technologies, i.e., wind turbines, photovoltaic panels, and solar thermal collectors. The proposed configuration was tested in a hypothetical case study, namely, a University Campus located in Trieste, Italy. The system operation is based on a cost-optimal control strategy and the effect of the size of the cogeneration unit and heat pumps was investigated. A comparison with a conventional configuration, without distributed heat pumps, was also performed. The results show that the proposed configuration outperformed the conventional one, leading to a total-cost saving of around 8%, a carbon emission reduction of 11%, and a primary energy saving of 8%.

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