Factsheet: Demand Management of Buildings in Thermal Networks (PDF 0.29MB) 
May 2024

Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of demand response in district heating and cooling systems. From passive customers to valuable assets 
May 2024
Author(s): Anna Marszal-Pomianowska, Emilia Motoasca, Ivo Pothof, Clemens Felsmann, Per Heiselberg, Anna Cadenbach, Ingo Leusbrock, Keith O'Donovan, Steffen Petersen, Markus Schaffer
Publisher: Smart Energy 14 (2024) 100135
Abstract

Buildings can deliver short-term thermal energy storage by utilising the thermal capacity of the building construction and/or by activating the water tanks included in the heating/cooling installation. The flexibility potential of demand management using decentralized thermal energy storage has been quantified in many theoretical modelling studies, and it is considered an essential technology for an affordable energy transition. We have investigated the drivers and barriers to the adoption of demand management in buildings in district heating and cooling systems via a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis and presented 17 elements that shape the current and future application of this concept. The results indicate that the application of the DR concept has left the theoretical studies and moved towards real-life applications. Yet, there is a lack of feasible business models and regulatory frameworks supporting the large-scale application of the concept. Utilities and their customers do not fully understand the benefits of the DR concept; therefore they are reluctant to adopt it outside of the research projects where the test environment is fully controlled and with limited impact and timeline. Therefore, the regulatory framework must be adjusted to allow DHC operators to develop new business models and DR tariffs that will incentivise the customers to deliver flexibility to the system without compromising their comfort and everyday practices and increasing energy poverty.

Method combining expert and analytical approaches towards economical energy renovation roadmaps and improved indoor comfort 
September 2023
Author(s): M Z Pomianowski, K Wittchen, M Schaffer, Y Hu, G Chiesa, F Fasano, P Grasso
Publisher: Journal of Physics: Conference Series (Online). 2600, 8, 082022
Abstract

This paper proposes a two-fold method, combining expert and analytical approaches, to develop an energy renovation roadmap for residential apartment buildings. The expert approach provides cost estimates based on energy performance certificates, considering the building's existing condition, national building tradition, and requirements. Renovation actions are limited to the most probable and required actions. The analytical approach uses computer power and various renovation action variations to identify optimal solutions for defined KPIs. As the cost efficiency of energy conservation action depends on model complexity, the expert approach considers this aspect. The analytical approach focuses on indoor comfort and energy use, as cost optimality evaluation is not possible for non-linear costs of energy conservation actions. Sensitivity analysis is used to support credible ranges for rentability of energy conservation measures and reflect on optimal solutions and indoor environmental consequences.

E-DYCE - Dynamic approach to the dynamic energy certification of buildings 
September 2023
Author(s): O K Larsen, M Z Pomianowski, G Chiesa, E Belias, T de Kerchove d'Exaerde, F Flourentzou, F Fasano, P Grasso
Publisher: Journal of Physics: Conference Series. 2600, 3, 032015
Abstract

The energy performance certification (EPC) scheme, introduced in the European Union approximately 20 years ago, has become the focus of the upcoming revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). Despite its widespread use, the current EPC scheme has several shortcomings that need to be addressed. The Energy flexible DYnamic building Certification (E-DYCE) project has developed a dynamic approach to address these issues. The methodology includes a dynamic assessment of a building's energy needs and comfort conditions under standard and different from standard conditions of building use to support Performance Gap (PG) analyses. The E-DYCE approach includes a dynamic building performance simulation with comfort and energy-related key-performance indicators (KPIs) measured and calculated according to E-DYCE DEPC methodology. These KPIs can inform end-users about indoor environmental quality conditions decisive for building energy performance, aid building managers in detecting dysfunctions resulting in PG, and include energy performance indexes for heating, cooling, lighting, domestic hot water, and more. Overall, the E-DYCE approach offers dynamic, reliable, and customer-tailored information and optimization possibilities to end-users while potentially resolving known shortcomings of the existing EPC schemes.

Do the customers remember? The fade-out effect from the demand response applied in the district heating system in Denmark. 
September 2023
Author(s): Marszal-Pomianowska, A., Jensen, O. M., Wittchen, K. B., Jokubauskis, B., Melgaard, S. P.
Publisher: Journal of Physics: Conference Series 2600, 13, 132003
Abstract

Buildings can deliver short-term thermal energy storage to energy systems. In district heating (DH) systems, it is mainly desk studies and simulations that reveal a large thermal flexibility potential. Knowledge from real-life case studies on how residents participate in demand management campaigns is crucial for the successful utilisation of buildings' flexibility potential for minimizing bottlenecks in the daily operation of DH systems. In the field study including 72 single-family houses connected to the 3GDH network in southern Denmark, the demand response (DR) strategy "night setback" was applied for two heating periods. The houses were equipped with control and monitoring equipment, which allowed the deactivation of the heating system while monitoring the indoor temperature, so it does not drop below the defined value. The occupants controlled the DR events settings and could at any time stop utilisation of the night setback strategy (implicit participation in the DR). All 72 houses applied the night setback during both heating periods. Yet, the participation time decreased from 89% to 81%. The lowest participation rate was noted for the farm house, 60% and 9% of heating periods 1 and 2, respectively. In around 60% of the DR events, the night setback strategy was activated at 20:00.

IEA EBC Annex 84: Demand Management of Buildings in Thermal Networks – Case Studies including DH and DC Systems. 
September 2022
Author(s): Anna Kallert, Christopher Graf, Anna Marszal-Pomianowska
Presentation at 8th International Conference on Smart Energy Systems, Aalborg, 13-14 Sep 2022