Research Centre
Energy
Conclusions and future
developments
Biography
Methodology
Introduction
Results
FlexiGrow
A study of sustainable energy infrastructure
FlexiGrow is a project which analyzes the performance of an all-electric neighborhood of newly-built houses here in the Netherlands (as shown in figure 5 below). The goal of this project is to determine whether or not these houses are performing as well as expected and how we might improve their energy performance by implementing alternative energy infrastructure configurations (e.g. micro-CHPs in combination with electric heat pumps). This study focuses on energy demand patterns at a neighborhood level and aims to improve the affordability of energy, reduce energy consumption and minimize greenhouse gas emissions all while promoting a sustainable, secure energy supply. This is a joint project between the Research Centre Energy of Hanze University of Applied Sciences, GasTerra, Enexis and EnerGQ.
• In figure 1 we can see the strong correlation between effective outdoor temperature and domestic electricity consumption. Note the large fluctuations in electricity demand.
This project will develop further as we perform more studies on
domestic energy appliances, such as micro-CHPs, solar panels and heat
pumps. Ultimately, this project will influence future design criteria for
new housing developments, will provide a simulation model for testing
different energy scenarios and will provide a meaningful contribution
towards the societal discussion regarding the future of energy. All of the
information provided by this study will be based on real measured data.
Erika Zomerman; Christian van Someren
Erika is a teacher and researcher at the Hanze University of Applied Sciences. She is currently prusuing her PhD in the area of energy system design.
Christian van Someren has a Masters in Renewable Energy and specializes in
modeling future energy scenarios.
This project will begin with an in-depth survey of local residents, followed by a detailed energy monitoring program. We will evaluate household performance by
considering total primary energy consumption and CO2
emissions (i.e. sustainability), system reliability (i.e. energy security) and affordability of different energy infrastructure configurations.
In figures 3 and 4 we see the approximate primary
energy consumption and CO2 emissions of a newly-built
all-electric household compared to a typical newly-built gas & electric household. We can see that in the winter months, the performance of both houses is comparable. Through the combination of detailed modeling, real-time measurements and appliance characterisation, we will determine alternate infrastructure configurations which may significantly improve the efficiency of domestic energy consumption. Figure 2 shows an electric heat pump system, an important component in many domestic energy configurations which will be analyzed.
Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000
Figure 3 - Measured Primary Energy Consumption vs. Reference Scenario
Measured Values Reference Scenario
Month P ri m a ry E n e rg y C o n su m p ti o n ( k W h )
Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr
0 100 200 300 400 500 600
Figure 4 - Measured CO2 Emissions vs. Reference Scenario
Measured Values Reference Scenario
Month E m is si o n ( k g C O 2 ) Assumptions
Efficiency of producing 1 kWh electricity (delivered) - 39% Efficiency of producing 1 kWh natural gas (delivered) - 100% Emissions per kWh electricity consumed - 0.45 kgC02
Emissions per kWh natural gas consumed - 0.182 kgC02
Note: Reference scenario is for a "newly built" Dutch house with electricity grid
connection and high efficiency gas boiler. Data acquired from the BDH Scenario Tool.
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 -5 -3 -1 1 3 5 7 9 11
Figure 1 - Monday March 9, 2015
Consumption Power vs. Effective Outdoor Temperature(18 houses)
Combined Consumption Effective Outdoor Temperature
Time To ta l P o w e r (k W ) Eff e cti ve O u td o o r Te m p e ra tu re ( 'C )
Figure 2 – Inside an air-source heat pump
Figure 5 – All-electric houses participating in the energy monitoring program
