Electric load behaviour and DSM potential of office buildings

Journal Reference

Energy and Buildings, Volume 100, 2015, Pages 43–49 .

Markus Puchegger

University of Applied Sciences—Fachhochschule Burgenland GmbH, Steinamangerstraße 21, 7423 Pinkafeld, Austria

Abstract

Due to the rising use of fluctuating renewable energy production, electricity production curve in the future will not be able to follow the demand curve anymore. Therefore, time-critical, variable charges are likely to be introduced. Whereas large consumers of electricity already have to pay attention to this issue – the peak demand is measured and cost effective for customers with a consumption higher than 100,000 kW h or connection power more than 50 kW – the topic will become relevant for other customers in the future. Due to the roll-out of smart metres, it is very likely that time-relevant tariffs will become standard for all kinds of users, which means that the moment of electricity consumption will be cost-relevant. This paper deals with the electric load behaviour of office buildings and their potential to use demand side management (DSM) to optimise load behaviour. Because of use during the day, when prices are usually higher than during the night, office buildings mainly demand electrical energy during periods of high prices. By identification and utilisation of DSM potential, considerable sections of the demand can be shifted to hours with lower prices. Concerning integration of photovoltaic systems, two aspects has to be taken into account. When PV is an additional option to reduce electrical energy demand during high prices, on-site produced electricity should be also used on-site and therefore it has to be assured, that demand does not fall below PV-production. Another possibility to shift loads is to use thermal or electrochemical storage systems.

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