Impact of Weather and Occupancy on Energy Flexibility Potential of a Low-Energy Building

Abstract

The introduction of renewable energy sources in the energy market leads to instability of the energy system itself; therefore, new solutions to increase its flexibility will become more common in the coming years. In this context the implementation of energy flexibility in buildings is evaluated, using heat storage in the building mass. This study focuses on the influence of weather conditions and internal gains on the energy flexibility potential of a nearly-zero-energy building in Denmark. A specific six hours heating program is used to reach the scope. The main findings showed that the direct solar radiation and the outdoor temperature appeared to have the larger impact on the thermal flexibility of the building. Specifically, the energy flexibility potential of the examined apartment can ensure its thermal autonomy up to 200 h in a typical sunny winter day.

Impact of Building Design Parameters on Thermal Energy Flexibility in a Low-Energy Building

“…Among the main simplifications are the constant outdoor temperature and infiltration, the periodic heat gains and the scheduled occupants' behaviour. An analysis of the sensitivity of the present flexibility results to these assumptions is available in a complementary publication by Zilio et al (2017). Moreover, this paper describes a local sensitivity analysis, which has the advantage of isolating every parameter's impact while requiring a limited number of simulation runs.…”

“…Some multi-parameter investigations as well as analyses with different building shapes and indoor space organisation will complete this work, and help forming a set of guidelines for an optimal building design with focus on heat flexibility. An impact assessment of outdoor conditions and internal gains on the present flexibility results is developed by Zilio et al (2017). The following steps of this work include yearly simulations using realistic weather data permitting to assess the building's response to both summer and winter conditions.…”