Grid Impact of Active Electricity Systems in Residential Buildings

Name: Bart Verbruggen

Prof. dr. ir. Johan Driesen 

The objectives for 2020 have led to an evolution toward nearly zero energy buildings by 2020. These buildings compensate for their limited energy use by implementing local generation systems and they make use of more efficient appliances and increased insulation. Often, this also leads to the use of heat pumps. Obviously, this is a positive evolution. On the other hand, the electrical distribution grid has been constructed for a uni-directional power flow and a limited correlation of usage profiles, which makes that this positive evolution comes with challenges for the electricity distribution. This research assumes that an evolution past nearly zero energy towards active buildings can limit the impact on the electricity grid. It starts with an overview of electricity systems in such buildings, differentiating themselves by the implementation of local control algorithms, and offers a critical view on the current regulations applicable to these electricity systems. Next, the developed models for the simulation of electrical systems for simulation of active buildings in a multi-disciplinary environment are presented and indicators are proposed for the performance evaluation of control algorithms based on their impact on the electricity grid and single-building simulations. Finally, the developed models are used to offer a critical look at the current regulation concerning the single-phase connection of small distributed generation systems, by simulations of a three-phase distribution grid of nearly zero energy buildings.

•   Prof. dr. ir. Johan Driesen (promotor)
•   Prof. dr. ir. Paul Sas (voorzitter/chairman)
•   Prof. dr. ir. Dirk Saelens (secretaris/secretary)
•   Prof. dr. ir. Lieve Helsen
•   Prof. dr. ir. Jan Cappelle
•   Prof. dr. Emmanuel De Jaeger , Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL)