ELTERM: Kombinerte Elektriske og Termiske Mikrogrid

In Norway, a goal has been established to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. In addition, the Norwegian Parliament has adopted a goal for Norway to be "climate neutral" by 2030. To meet this goal, this project aims to develop technical system solutions that combine electrical and thermal solutions into a common microgrid, enabling a holistic and integrated approach to thermal and electrical energy production and energy storage in response to a time-varying power and energy demand. Such a holistic approach is important because a significant portion of the total energy demand is typically in the form of heating and cooling. For example, large-scale energy storage is much more cost-effective in the form of thermal energy than as electricity—if the demand is in the form of thermal energy. Another example is that surplus electrical energy and/or inexpensive energy from the grid can make it profitable to generate alternative energy carriers such as H2/NH3, while excess thermal energy is stored in the ground for use during the winter months or in phase-change storage tanks. These energy carriers can then be used to generate electrical energy and heat via Combined Heat and Power (CHP). This project will develop a comprehensive tool that includes all underlying components for simulating and optimizing the utilization rate of self-produced energy in future zero- and plus-energy buildings—both electrical and thermal microgrids. Especially, property developers, planners, and contractors need more knowledge of: 1) How the interaction between different thermal and electrical energy sources and storage solutions can best be adapted to the time-varying power and energy demand of buildings and the associated microgrid. 2) The uncertainty associated with different parts of the energy system. 3) How load profiles can be influenced to reduce energy and power demand. 4) How flexible and efficient control systems should be configured for such energy systems.