Building-to-grid optimal control of integrated MicroCSP and building HVAC system for optimal demand response services

The world is shifting toward cleaner and more sustainable power generation to face the challenges of climate change. Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydraulic are now the go-to technologies for the new power generation system. However, these sources are highly intermittent and introduce uncertainty to the power grid which affects its frequency and voltage and could jeopardize its stable operations. The integration of micro-scale concentrated solar power (MicroCSP) and thermal energy storage with the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system gives the building greater leeway to control its loads which can allow it to support the power grid by providing demand response (DR) services. Indeed, the optimal control of the power flowing between the MicroCSP, the HVAC system, and the thermal zones can bring additional degrees of freedom to the building which can be relegated to the power grid based on the objective function and the incentives provided by the latter. This article presents an in-depth investigation of the MicroCSP potential to provide ancillary services to the power grid. It focuses on evaluating the effect of incentives provided by the power grid on the building participation to the load following programs. It also demonstrates how the MicroCSP can help the building deal with constraints related to load peak shaving and ramp-rate reduction set by the power grid as part of long-term DR contracts. A sensitivity analysis is carried out to confront the results to prediction uncertainties of the energy prices and the weather conditions.

Automated summary

The world is shifting towards cleaner and sustainable power generation to combat climate change. Renewable energy sources are now the preferred technologies, but their intermittency poses challenges to the power grid's stability. Integrating MicroCSP and thermal energy storage with HVAC systems allows buildings to control their loads and support the power grid through demand response services.