Exploring flexibility in building energy systems: Agent-based quantification and electricity tariff impacts

Energy and Buildings, vol. 334, pp. 115500

Abstract

The increasing integration of renewable energy sources into the power grid presents significant challenges in maintaining grid stability due to their inherent volatility. This has intensified the need for flexible energy systems that can dynamically respond to fluctuations in supply and demand. Buildings, as substantial energy consumers, have the potential to provide this needed flexibility. One approach for utilizing this flexibility is by participating in emerging local energy and flexibility markets. Consequently, precise quantification of flexibility offers is crucial. However, estimating the available flexibility offers of a building energy system is complex. To address this, this paper introduces an agent-based framework that utilizes model predictive control to quantify flexibility offers of building energy systems during operation. The framework is applied to two different buildings and four different price tariffs to evaluate the impact of dynamic electricity price signals on the availability and cost of flexibility. The results show that while the investigated buildings exhibit a limited immediate response to price changes, the overall flexibility potential is strongly influenced by comfort boundaries, the building envelope, and the heat transfer systems. Additionally, the study highlights that flexibility can be offered at competitive costs in local energy markets, particularly during winter scenarios.

Authors 4

1. Felix Stegemerten corresponding Aachen E.ON Energy Research Center Institute for Energy Efficient Buildings and Indoor Climate

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University, E.ON Energy Research Center, Institute for Energy Efficient Buildings and Indoor Climate, Mathieustraße 10, Aachen, 52074, Germany

2. Sarah Leidolf Aachen E.ON Energy Research Center Institute for Energy Efficient Buildings and Indoor Climate

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University, E.ON Energy Research Center, Institute for Energy Efficient Buildings and Indoor Climate, Mathieustraße 10, Aachen, 52074, Germany

3. Phillip Stoffel Aachen E.ON Energy Research Center Institute for Energy Efficient Buildings and Indoor Climate

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University, E.ON Energy Research Center, Institute for Energy Efficient Buildings and Indoor Climate, Mathieustraße 10, Aachen, 52074, Germany

4. Dirk Müller Aachen E.ON Energy Research Center Institute for Energy Efficient Buildings and Indoor Climate

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University, E.ON Energy Research Center, Institute for Energy Efficient Buildings and Indoor Climate, Mathieustraße 10, Aachen, 52074, Germany