Abstract
Storage and Demand Side Management (DSM) are key in integrating renewable energy into community energy systems. There are many modelling tools which support design of such systems. In order to select an appropriate tool it is essential to understand tool capabilities and assess how these match requirements for a specific situation. The aim of this paper is to provide a process to be used to make such a selection consisting of: (i) a tool capability categorisation, (ii) a stepwise tool selection process.
Capabilities of 13 tools (screened from 51) for community scale were categorised covering: input data characteristics; supply technologies; design optimisation; available outputs; controls and DSM; storage; and practical considerations.
A stepwise selection process is defined, adapted from software engineering, in which tools are scored based on 'essential', 'desirable', or 'not applicable' technical capabilities for the specific situation. Tools without essential capabilities are eliminated. Technical scores and practical considerations are then used to select the tool. The process is demonstrated for a simple case study.
The future applicability of the selection process is discussed. Findings from the capability categorisation process are highlighted including gaps to be addressed and future trends in modelling of such systems.
Capabilities of 13 tools (screened from 51) for community scale were categorised covering: input data characteristics; supply technologies; design optimisation; available outputs; controls and DSM; storage; and practical considerations.
A stepwise selection process is defined, adapted from software engineering, in which tools are scored based on 'essential', 'desirable', or 'not applicable' technical capabilities for the specific situation. Tools without essential capabilities are eliminated. Technical scores and practical considerations are then used to select the tool. The process is demonstrated for a simple case study.
The future applicability of the selection process is discussed. Findings from the capability categorisation process are highlighted including gaps to be addressed and future trends in modelling of such systems.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 674-688 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | Sustainable Cities and Society |
| Volume | 39 |
| Early online date | 9 Feb 2018 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 31 May 2018 |
Funding
This work was financially supported by grants from the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). This work was carried out within the context of IEA ECES Annex 31 ‘Energy Storage in Low Carbon Buildings and Districts: Optimization and Automation’ and also within the context of the UK EPSRC project ‘Fabric Integrated Thermal Storage’ (FITS), grant number EP/N021479/1.
Keywords
- energy
- energy storage
- demand side management
- DSM + C
- community energy systems
- modelling
- district energy
- renewable and low carbon energy system
