Optimising renewable energy integration in new housing developments with low carbon technologies. (May 2021) - Gil, Gemma Oliver
Abstract: Since buildings account for more than one-third of final energy use, it is important to integrate renewable energy sources for new housing developments to reduce demand for grid energy and carbon emissions. This research investigates the potential of solar PV, energy storage, and electric vehicles in new housing developments and their associated grid impacts by taking the UK's Cambridge, Milton Keynes, Oxford arc as a case study. Using published data on electrical loads for different types of dwellings, energy demands for new housing developments with and without renewable and low carbon technologies are analysed using techno-economic modelling frameworks. Technical analysis includes sizing and optimisation of PV and storage while economic analysis covers cost-benefit analyses, by considering a range of existing and future tariffs and subsidy schemes including Standard, Economy 7 (cheaper electricity for 7 h at night), Feed-in tariff, and the Smart Export Guarantee. Results show that installing PV panels and storage systems not only reduces the dwellings' grid energy demand by 31% in January but also helps the dwellings to become net exporters of green electricity to the grid in July and hence saves a substantial amount of money by taking advantage of Feed-in and Economy 7 tariffs. Highlights: Impact of new housing developments with PV, storage and EVs on the grid was studied. The Cambridge, Milton Keynes, Oxford growth corridor was used as a case study. Dwellings with PV and storage reduce 31% of grid electricity demand in January. Dwellings with PV and storage become net exporters of electricity to the grid in July. Renewable incentives and tariff structures can make renewable investment profitable.