Energy and economic analysis of domestic heating costs based on distributed energy resources: A case study in Spain

Energy electrification is part of the European strategy for the decarbonization of the building sector and energy transition in cities. The present paper compares the heating costs of covering the heating demand by different systems: (i) domestic gas boiler and an air-to-air heat-pump, (ii) without and (iii) with local PV backup; in order to analyze the effects of the electric price volatility along with the weather condition dependency of the renewable systems. The study presents a heat pump model and a PV generation model to estimate the hourly performance of both systems. These models are then applied in an average dwelling in Bilbao, Spain, in November 2020, and November 2021. Results show that in November 2020 the combined use of a heat pump with PV generation to cover the heat demand was 66% cheaper than covering the same demand with a natural gas boiler. By contrast, the combined use of the PV and heat pump resulted in a 15% higher energy bill compared to the natural gas in 2021 due to the increase of the electricity prices (3 times higher), the lower temperatures (25%) and less solar radiation (70%)

Energy transition towards sustainable districts through renewable energy nodes

Actualmente, los edificios son los causantes del 36% de las emisiones de CO2 en Europa, lo que los convierte en uno de los objetivos principales de actuacion local para el cumplimiento de los objetivos energeticos y medioambientales de la Union Europea (UE). Para alcanzar la transicion hacia barrios sostenibles y neutros en carbono es necesaria una regeneracion urbana hacia los edificios de consumo casi nulo (nZEB) o incluso, siendo mas ambiciosos, edificios energeticamente positivos. Para conseguirlo, no solo se deben construir nuevos edificios para que cumplan estas exigencias, sino que el parque edificado actual debe ser rehabilitado con el fin de reducir su demanda energetica, la cual deberá ser cubierta en gran medida por energias renovables. Sin embargo, la integracion y gestion de algunas tecnologias, como la solar termica y fotovoltaica, en los edificios presentan un reto debido a la intermitencia de las mismas, el desajuste entre las horas de generacion y las de consumo en sectores como el residencial, o la disponibilidad de espacio para desplegarlas

Lessons Learnt from Substation Inspection on Low Temperature District Heating Networks

District heating networks are considered to be a key element for the decarbonization of Europe. The RELaTED project seeks to contribute to the decarbonization of these infrastructures with the demonstration of low temperature district heating networks. One of the demonstration sites consists of more than 50 substations within a subsection of a larger network in the city of Tartu (Estonia), where the temperature was lowered by 10 ◦C. To ensure the benefits of this new generation district heating network and the fulfillment of comfort requirements, data have been monitored and analyzed at the substation level in an automatic way to facilitate the inspection of every user.This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No. 768567. This publication only reflects the authors’ views, and neither the Agency nor the Commission are responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained herein

Data-driven assessment for the supervision of District Heating Networks

There is an ongoing trend towards temperature reduction in District Heating Networks, allowing for the reduction of distribution heat loss and enabling the integration of low exergy heat production systems. There is a clear scientific consensus on the improved sustainability of such systems. However, there is not sufficient knowledge on how to deliver a successful transition to a low temperature District Heating system, while ensuring the operational levels of the existing system. This paper presents the experience on the progressive temperature reduction of a district heating subnetwork over the 2018–2021 period in Tartu, Estonia. Data from heat meters is extensively used to assess the capacity of substations and network branches to deliver the required heat and quality levels. Faulty substations are identified for targeted assessment and improvement works. Several substations have been identified as missing some of the performance criteria. This has led to further analysis, closer supervision and interventions in the operational conditions of the network. This is an ongoing process, expected to remain in the established procedures of the DH network operator. At the end of the process, a temperature reduction of 7 ºC has shown an improvement of 4.8% in network heat loss.This study has been carried out in the context of RELaTED project. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 768567

Energy, Environmental and Economic Analysis of Air-to-Air Heat Pumps as an Alternative to Heating Electrification in Europe

Heat pumps (HP) are an efficient alternative to non-electric heating systems (NEHS), being a cost-effective mean to support European building sector decarbonization. The paper studies HP and NEHS performance in residential buildings, under different climate conditions and energy tariffs, in six different European countries. Furthermore, a primary energy and environmental analysis is performed to evaluate if the use of HPs is more convenient than NEHS, based on different factors of the electric mix in each country. A specific HP model is developed considering the main physical phenomena occurring along its cycle. Open data from building, climatic and economic sources are used to feed the analysis. Ad hoc primary energy factors and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission coefficients are calculated for the selected countries. The costs and the environmental impact for both heating systems are then compared. The outcomes of the study suggest that, in highly fossil fuels dependent electricity mixes, the use of NEHS represents a more efficient decarbonization approach than HP, in spite of its higher efficiency. Additionally, the actual high price of the electric kWh hampers the use of HP in certain cases.European Commission's H202

HOLISDER Project: Introducing Residential and Tertiary Energy Consumers as Active Players in Energy Markets

Although it has been demonstrated that demand-side flexibility is possible, business application of residential and small tertiary demand response programs has been slow to develop. This paper presents a holistic demand response optimization framework that enables significant energy costs reduction for consumers. Moreover, buildings are introduced as main contributors to balance energy networks. The solution basis consists of a modular interoperability and data management framework that enables open standards-based communication along the demand response value chain. The solution is being validated in four large-scale pilot sites, which have diverse building types, energy systems and energy carriers. Furthermore, they offer diverse climatic conditions, and demographic and cultural characteristics to establish representative results.Research leading to these results has been supported by HOLISDER project. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No. 768614. The APC was funded by HOLISDER project

Engaging domestic users on demand response for heating cost reduction with a recommendation tool: Case study in Belgrade

[EN] The European Union has established a legislative framework that aims to enable consumers and businesses to take information-based decisions to save energy and money. Additionally, the increase of Distributed Energy Resources (both on generation and consumption) requires additional efforts to maintain the reliability and stability of the electric grid and the need of flexibility from residential buildings. The present study introduces a domestic decision support tool for reducing heating costs. This app provides detailed recommendations to end-users based on the day-ahead hourly weather forecast, electric and district heating tariffs predictions, heating demand, and heating systems dynamic performance. The tool was tested in 6 dwellings of a neighborhood of Belgrade during the last months of 2021 heating season (March-May). Energetic results suggest that 40% of participants followed the given recommendations and changed their heating pattern. Additionally, survey results show that end-users found the lack of information and knowledge as the main barrier to actively participate in the energy market, also preferring to have automatic control in their heating system. Authors conclude that recommendation tools are key elements in user-engagement, but they should be supported by additional information and training.Research leading to these results has been supported by HOLISDER project, Spain. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No. 768614. This paper reflects only the authors’ views and the Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein

Energy Performance Assessment of Innovative Building Solutions Coming from Construction and Demolition Waste Materials

Prefabricated solutions incorporating thermal insulation are increasingly adopted as an energy conservation measure for building renovation. The InnoWEE European project developed three technologies from Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) materials through a manufacturing process that supports the circular economy strategy of the European Union. Two of them consisted of geopolymer panels incorporated into an External Thermal Insulation Composite System (ETICS) and a ventilated façade. This study evaluates their thermal performance by means of monitoring data from three pilot case studies in Greece, Italy, and Romania, and calibrated building simulation models enabling the reliable prediction of energy savings in different climates and use scenarios. Results showed a reduction in energy demand for all demo buildings, with annual energy savings up to 25% after placing the novel insulation solutions. However, savings are highly dependent on weather conditions since the panels affect cooling and heating loads differently. Finally, a parametric assessment is performed to assess the impact of insulation thickness through an energy performance prediction and a cash flow analysis.This research was funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No. 723916 (Project H2020-EEB-2016 InnoWEE, G.A. 723916). This study reflects only the authors’ views and the Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therei

Energy, Environmental and Economic Analysis of Air-to-Air Heat Pumps as an Alternative to Heating Electrification in Europe

Heat pumps (HP) are an efficient alternative to non-electric heating systems (NEHS), being a cost-effective mean to support European building sector decarbonization. The paper studies HP and NEHS performance in residential buildings, under different climate conditions and energy tariffs, in six different European countries. Furthermore, a primary energy and environmental analysis is performed to evaluate if the use of HPs is more convenient than NEHS, based on different factors of the electric mix in each country. A specific HP model is developed considering the main physical phenomena occurring along its cycle. Open data from building, climatic and economic sources are used to feed the analysis. Ad hoc primary energy factors and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission coefficients are calculated for the selected countries. The costs and the environmental impact for both heating systems are then compared. The outcomes of the study suggest that, in highly fossil fuels dependent electricity mixes, the use of NEHS represents a more efficient decarbonization approach than HP, in spite of its higher efficiency. Additionally, the actual high price of the electric kWh hampers the use of HP in certain cases

Energy Performance Assessment of Innovative Building Solutions Coming from Construction and Demolition Waste Materials

Prefabricated solutions incorporating thermal insulation are increasingly adopted as an energy conservation measure for building renovation. The InnoWEE European project developed three technologies from Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) materials through a manufacturing process that supports the circular economy strategy of the European Union. Two of them consisted of geopolymer panels incorporated into an External Thermal Insulation Composite System (ETICS) and a ventilated façade. This study evaluates their thermal performance by means of monitoring data from three pilot case studies in Greece, Italy, and Romania, and calibrated building simulation models enabling the reliable prediction of energy savings in different climates and use scenarios. Results showed a reduction in energy demand for all demo buildings, with annual energy savings up to 25% after placing the novel insulation solutions. However, savings are highly dependent on weather conditions since the panels affect cooling and heating loads differently. Finally, a parametric assessment is performed to assess the impact of insulation thickness through an energy performance prediction and a cash flow analysis