Model predictive controller for heat pump flexibility: case study with implicit signal scenario
The electrification of buildings, in particular through the development of residential heat pumps, turns to be an opportunity for demand side flexibility in order to optimize the balance of the electricity grid. Indeed, the latter is subject to constraints linked to the deployment of renewable energies and the transformation of certain uses. To exploit the flexibility potential of building-coupled heat pump (B/HP) systems, advanced control strategies are required to ensure seamless interaction between heat pumps and the electricity grid. In that context, a specific heat pump controller has been previously developed, based on a model predictive control (MPC) framework associated with expert rules. This controller is a supervisory one, that does not override native low-level control rules of the heat pump. This controller is able to secure and optimize the operation and the performance of an air-to-water heat pump under grid flexibility scenarios, whether through explicit control signal (e.g., shutdown orders) or implicit signal via dynamic pricing. This study focuses on analysing the behaviour of B/HP systems where the heat pump is equipped with the MPC controller, in a context of implicit flexibility via a price signal. Results demonstrate the controller's ability to optimise HP operations according to the price signal and the building's thermal inertia, while respecting HP constraints. From a flexibility perspective, the findings highlight the significant influence of price signals on the extent of load shifting.
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