SPF Institut für SolartechnikProjektleiterin SPF
+41 58 257 41 51neha.dimri@ost.ch
Heat storages can assist in the rational dimensioning and operation of thermal networks. They can smooth out peak loads and eliminate the need for fossil-fuelled peak load boilers. Heat surpluses can be stored temporarily. Decentralised storage systems can relieve the load on individual sections of the grid or enable grid densification and expansion. They are also ideal for the efficient integration of decentralised heat generators. This project aims to quantify potential cost and emission savings by implementing decentralised thermal storage systems in various district heating networks. The project will provide recommendations for the dimensioning and operation of these storage systems. Additionally, an Excel user tool will be developed to assist planners in determining the impact of storage systems on power distribution and thermal network costs.
In this project, we develop smart planning methods and control strategies for solar neighbourhoods, in order to make optimal use of solar energy, storage solutions, and the interconnection of buildings via electrical and thermal grids. A focus is on the winter heat supply, and alternatives to air/water and geothermal heat pump systems. Exploiting synergies and sector coupling at the neighbourhood scale shall allow to reduce the carbon-intensive winter electricity demand and to provide a high load and production flexibility towards the electricity grid.
The technical approach is to develop efficient computational models that allow a) to compare a large number of system variants in the design phase with regard to different objective functions (costs, emissions, grid flexibility) and b) to realise model-predictive control strategies on a neighbourhood scale.
Clean water, a reliable power supply and cooling systems for medicines and vaccines are not a given in many rural hospitals in Africa. To ensure better healthcare also in remote regions, the EU is supporting SophiA project, which relies on modular containers to produce drinking water, heat, cold and electricity using solar energy. SPF Institute for Solar Technology is part of the international team responsible for the solar technology, the Life Cycle Assessment of the SophiA systems as well as the energy management and control of the subsystems.
Within the OptimEase project, a modelling framework is developed that allows for the energetic optimization of groups of buildings by using their synergies. By comparing the optimal solution of a group of buildings with the sum of optimal solutions for each individual building, the economic and environmental benefits of aggregating several buildings is evaluated.
The SolResHC project addresses research questions related to IEA PVPS Task 16 regarding "Solar Resource for High Penetration and Large Scale Applications".
Specifically, impacts of different weather scenarios on solar heating and cooling are assessed. Simulations for various future scenarios are carried out to determine the impact of weather data on the energy efficiency of different systems providing heating, cooling, domestic hot water and partly electricity for a multi-family house.
Furthermore, the influence of large feed-in from PV and other renewable energies to the electricity grid in Switzerland is analysed with a particular focus on the electricity price.
In the VenTSol project, the behaviour of residents with regard to window ventilation, shading and room temperature will be investigated by detailed monitoring of five apartment buildings. This study should help to create detailed user profiles, which can be used for simulations and energy calculations. User behaviour is compared to the prevailing external climate, internal climate and energy consumption. The project should contribute to a better understanding of the so-called «UserGap».
In this P&D-project a highly efficient heat supply for residential buildings in Obfelden was realized with new technologies. The combination of a low-lift heat pump with a deep membrane geothermal probe and a new type of control of the heating distribution system enables efficient heating in winter and cooling in summer with the lowest electrical energy consumption. The evaluation of several years shows how important monitoring and operation optimization are to realize efficient systems in the field. In addition to many valuable field experiences, the project has shown that a holistic concept can make a significant contribution to the stabilization of the Swiss energy supply.
