Optimising the economic viability of grid-connected photovoltaic systems

Mondol, Jayanta Deb; Yohanis, Yigzaw G.; Norton, Brian

doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2008.10.001

Cited by 104 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Another strand of relevant research at the building level is concerned with the optimum sizing and orientation of PV systems, including battery storage, for individual buildings (Weniger et al 2013, Widen et al 2009, Mondol et al 2009). Weniger et al (2013) optimize the sizing of residential PV and battery systems with a view to maximizing the self-consumption rate and degree of self-sufficiency.…”

Section: Individual Buildingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Energy autonomy in residential buildings: A techno-economic model-based analysis of the scale effects

2017

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An increasingly decentralized energy supply structure alongside economic incentives for increasing the level of self-generation and -consumption are encouraging (higher levels of) energy autonomy. Previous work in this area has focused on the technical and economic aspects of energy autonomy at distinct scales, from individual buildings, through neighbourhoods to districts. This paper employs a mixed integer linear program (MILP) to assess the effects of aggregation across these scales on the economics of energy autonomy in residential buildings. The model minimizes total energy system costs over the lifetime of the energy system, including micro-CHP, PV, thermal and electrical storage, and boilers, at five distinct scales and for nine demand cases. It is subject to several constraints, amongst other things the degree of electrical self-sufficiency. The results indicate a shift in the economically optimal level of electrical self-sufficiency with scale, which in Single Family Households (SFHs) means from around 30% at the individual building level to almost 100% in districts of 1000 SFH households. Above around 560 households it could be economically advantageous to make a district of residential buildings electrically self-sufficient. In addition, a marginal increase in electrical self-sufficiency is significantly more expensive at lower aggregation scales (i.e. single buildings) compared to the scale of neighbourhoods and districts. The level of interaction with the electrical distribution network increases with increasing electrical self-sufficiency before then decreasing at very high (above 70%) levels. Future work should focus on a richer socioeconomic differentiation, considering other sectors and technologies, incorporating demand side options and analysing the effects on the overarching energy system. AbstractAn increasingly decentralized energy supply structure alongside economic incentives for increasing the level of self-generation and -consumption are encouraging (higher levels of) energy autonomy. Previous work in this area has focused on the technical and economic aspects of energy autonomy at distinct scales, from individual buildings, through neighbourhoods to districts. This paper employs a mixed integer linear program (MILP) to assess the effects of aggregation across these scales on the economics of energy autonomy in residential buildings. The model minimizes total energy system costs over the lifetime of the energy system, including micro-CHP, PV, thermal and electrical storage, and boilers, at five distinct scales and for nine demand cases. It is subject to several constraints, amongst other things the degree of electrical self-sufficiency. The results indicate a shift in the economically optimal level of electrical self-sufficiency with scale, which in Single Family Households (SFHs) means from around 30% at the individual building level to almost 100% in districts of 1000 SFH households. Above around 560 households it could be economically advantageous to make a district of residential b...

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Section: Individual Buildingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Energy autonomy in residential buildings: A techno-economic model-based analysis of the scale effects

2017

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“…PV cells can generate DC current with defuse solar radiation. Much research had been conducted on large or small grid connected and offgrid PV power plant both for commercial and home use [65][66][67][68][69][70][71].…”

Section: Solar Pvmentioning

confidence: 99%

Technological assessment of different solar-biomass systems for hybrid power generation in Europe

Hussain¹,

Norton²,

Duffy³

2017

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

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Abstract:Solar Tower thermal (ST), Parabolic Trough thermal (PT), Linear Fresnel thermal (LF) and Solar PV are discussed in the context of suitability for hybridization with biomass in Europe.Technical, economical and climate data have been compared to identify the key drivers of technology selection in setting up large scale solar-biomass hybrid power plants. The sole solar-biomass hybrid power plant is currently in operation in Spain uses PT technology due to its performance characteristics, comparatively easy installation process compared to ST and relatively higher heat and optical gain than LF. The climate condition in the EU shows that the region within average yearly direct normal irradiance (DNI) 1400 -1800 kWh/m 2 can be useful for CSP hybridization as the distribution periods of high intensity of DNI of solar energy justify integrating biomass. Of the three concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies, ST provides the best overall efficiency for combined heat and power (CHP) generation.

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“…Braun & V. Lemort 2 inverter curtailing and peak transformer loads was estimated to be between 14% and 47%. On the other hand, decentralized electricity production helps decrease peak electrical demand, system losses and grid reinforcement needs (Mondol, Yohanis and Norton, 2009). In this context, demand response programs, smart controls of thermostatically-controlled building loads and prosumer storage are seen as key features for improving grid reliability and reducing infrastructure costs (Kamgarpour et al, 2013, andIEA, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this context, the optimum electrical load management for the end-user may differ in the centralized and decentralized approaches as net metering programs evolve. In the decentralized approach, to attain grid parity under less attractive economic conditions, the objective for the end-user is no longer to maximize the surplus electricity delivered to the grid, but to maximize its self-consumption (Mondol, Yohanis andNorton, 2009 andCastillo-Cagigal et al, 2011). Kamyar and Peet (2015) carried out a global analysis including utility and customer welfare to determine optimal electricity rates in the presence of demand response programs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A general methodology for optimal load management with distributed renewable energy generation and storage in residential housing

Georges

Braun

Lemort

2016

Journal of Building Performance Simulation

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In the U.S., buildings represent around 40% of the primary energy consumption and 74% of the electrical energy consumption (U.S. DOE, 2012). Incentives to promote the installation of on-site renewable energy sources have emerged in different states, including net metering programs. The fast spread of such distributed power generation represents additional challenges for the management of the electricity grid and has led to increased interest in smart control of building loads and demand response programs. This paper presents a general methodology for assessing opportunities associated with optimal load management in response to evolving utility incentives for residential buildings that employ renewable energy sources and energy storage. An optimal control problem is formulated for manipulating thermostatically controlled domestic loads and energy storage in response to the availability of renewable energy generation and utility net metering incentives. The methodology is demonstrated for a typical American house built in the 1990s and equipped with a single-speed air-to-air heat pump, an electric water heater and PV collectors. The additional potential associated with utilizing electrical batteries is also considered. Load matching performance for on-site renewable energy generation is characterized in terms of percentage of the electricity production consumed on-site and the proportion of the demand covered. For the purpose of assessing potential, simulations were performed assuming perfect predictions of the electrical load profiles. The method also allows determination of the optimal size of PV systems for a given net-metering program.Results of the case study showed significant benefits associated with control optimization including an increase of load matching between 3 and 28%, with the improvement dependent on the net-metering tariff and available storage capacity. The estimated cost savings for the consumer ranged from 6.4 to 27.5% compared to no optimization with a unitary buy-back ratio, depending on the available storage capacity. Related reduction in CO2 emissions were between 11 and 46%. Optimal load management of the home thermal systems allowed an increase in the optimal size of the PV system in the range of 13 to 21%.

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Optimising the economic viability of grid-connected photovoltaic systems

Cited by 104 publications

References 21 publications

Energy autonomy in residential buildings: A techno-economic model-based analysis of the scale effects

Energy autonomy in residential buildings: A techno-economic model-based analysis of the scale effects

Technological assessment of different solar-biomass systems for hybrid power generation in Europe

A general methodology for optimal load management with distributed renewable energy generation and storage in residential housing

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