Demand Side Management in Microgrids for Load Control in Nearly Zero Energy Buildings

The paper presents a feasible model of architecture for the technical building systems (TBS) particularly suitable for nearly zero energy buildings (NZEBs). The suggested model aggregates the users around an electric node in order to reach up the threshold value of electric power, and to get a more virtuous and flexible cumulative load profile. Present proposal is a full electric common smart micro grid with a single point of connection, with heating and domestic hot water generated by a centralized electric heat pump system. The renewable energy is provided by a photovoltaic field connected to the common grid. A building automation control system operates those electric TBS modulating the global load for a building demand response (DR). The effectiveness of the proposed model consists of exploiting thermal inertia as an energy storage, by forcing both local and central set points of heating and air conditioning systems. The control is based on the integrated and common operation of all users and all systems of the building as one unique “large user.” The integrated management of the grid is operated to control the whole electric demand exploiting the self-consumption, avoiding peaks, and maintaining a flat load profile. The suggested microgrid model allows concretely the possibility to realize a building DR with benefits for the end-users in a consumer view point. A study of the effect of these control opportunities on whole electric demand is done by simulation on a case study.