Impact of residential low-carbon technologies on low-voltage grid reinforcements. (1st September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Meunier, Simon; Protopapadaki, Christina; Baetens, Ruben; Saelens, Dirk
• Is Part Of: Applied energy. Volume 297(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-09-01
• Subjects: Low-voltage grids -- Distributed energy systems -- Heat pumps -- Photovoltaic systems -- Techno-economic analysis; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy conservation -- Periodicals; Energy conversion -- Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.117057
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-2619

Abstract

Highlights: Residential low-carbon technologies integration in low-voltage grids is analysed. A generic methodology to compute the grid reinforcement cost is developed. High-resolution Modelica simulations are performed for Belgian dwellings and grids. Heat pump integration in rural grid costs up to 1230 €/dwelling for reinforcement. Less than 200 €/dwelling reinforcement cost for integration in urban grid. Abstract: Integrating low-carbon technologies (e.g. heat pumps, photovoltaic systems) in buildings influences the stability of the low-voltage grid, which therefore often requires to be reinforced. This article proposes a techno-economic methodology to identify the reinforcements needed to maintain grid stability at the lowest life-cycle cost. Novel contributions include the consideration of three-phase connection of low-carbon technologies as a reinforcement option and the fact that we study to what extent grid reinforcements can mitigate voltage unbalance issues. Additionally, to reduce computing time, a dummy island approach is used, whereby one feeder is modelled in detail and the remainder of the distribution island is represented by an aggregated load. Finally, random repetitions are proposed, to consider uncertainties related to building properties, occupants and the location of low-carbon technologies in the feeders. The methodology is applied to investigate the integration of heat pumps and photovoltaic systems in typical Belgian rural and urban grids. For the rural grid, heat pumps may lead to significant reinforcement costs (up to 1230 €/dwelling), mainly due to voltage stability problems. For the urban grid, heat pump and photovoltaic integration causes low reinforcement cost (<200 €/dwelling). Furthermore, more random repetitions are required to obtain robust results for the rural grid than for the urban one. The proposed methodology is generic and transferrable to other radial low-voltage grids and low-carbon technologies (e.g. electric vehicles). It can help grid operators and policy makers integrate low-carbon technologies in a more resilient and cost-effective way, by weighing their available grid reinforcement solutions.