Journal article
Harnessing Flexibility from Hot and Cold
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd.1
University College Dublin2
Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical University of Denmark3
Dynamical Systems, Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical University of Denmark4
Imperial College London5
Tsinghua University6
KU Leuven7
German Aerospace Center8
CITIES - Centre for IT-Intelligent Energy Systems, Centers, Technical University of Denmark9
As has been often reported, electricity systems with high levels of variable wind and solar power generation would benefit from demand flexibility. What is not as often mentioned is that electrification of the transport and heat sectors could exacerbate the need for flexibility, if they are implemented as inflexible loads.
This demand could also be made more flexible, but it comes with a cost. The main issue is to identify the cases in which the benefits will outweigh those costs, a matter that will naturally depend on the evolution of specific energy systems. In this article, we lay out some generic principles and characteristics related to heatsector flexibility and demonstrate its possibilities using specific examples.
While we generally use the word heat here, most of the discussions also apply to cool, which, after all, is just another form of temperature difference. A major potential for flexibility in the heat sector results from the low cost of storing heat, which allows opportunities to shift electricity demand.
Another possibility is to utilize hybrid systems in which either electricity or fuel can be used to produce heat depending on price variations between the two options.
Language: | English |
---|---|
Publisher: | IEEE |
Year: | 2017 |
Pages: | 25-33 |
ISSN: | 15584216 and 15407977 |
Types: | Journal article |
DOI: | 10.1109/MPE.2016.2626618 |
ORCIDs: | Madsen, Henrik |