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:
- 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.
- The uncertainty associated with different parts of the energy system.
- How load profiles can be influenced to reduce energy and power demand.
- How flexible and efficient control systems should be configured for such energy systems.
