Next Generation Net Zero Vision
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The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is developing a supervisory load profile controller for next-generation zero energy buildings (ZEBs) to integrate various energy resources and manage load profiles efficiently. The project includes conducting field demonstrations at the Vehicle Testing and Integration Facility (VTIF) to optimize renewable energy generation, storage, and load management, ultimately providing multiple value streams for utilities and building owners. Ongoing activities involve evaluating technologies, refining control algorithms, and publishing insights for broader application in various building types and climates.
Next Generation Net Zero Vision
- 1. NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC. A Vision for Next-Generation Zero Energy Buildings: Solutions to Enable Grid-Friendly, 100% Renewable, Building-Scale Microgrids THE CHALLENGE A “zero energy building” (ZEB) produces as much renewable energy as the total energy it consumes on an annual basis. Large-scale and commercially viable ZEBs are now in the marketplace, and they are expected to become a larger share of the commercial building foot- print as government and private sector polices continue to push for buildings to produce more onsite energy than they use. However, the load profiles of ZEBs are currently perceived by electric utilities to be unfavorable and unpredictable, as shown on the following page. At the same time, building owners are increasingly seeking to enhance energy surety for ZEBs. THE OPPORTUNITY Because ZEBs often produce excess onsite renewable energy, integrating advanced controls and onsite storage will allow future ZEBs to actively manage their load profiles and provide new value to utility operators and building owners. Realizing this vision will enable ZEBs to provide multiple value streams, such as: 1. Maximizing onsite renewable generation while avoiding exports to the grid Lighting Control System with Electrical Storage Heating System with Thermal Energy Storage Connected Office Equipment with Electrical Storage Cooling System with Thermal Energy Storage WiFi Microgrid ATS/ Smart Inverter(s) and Power Conditioning Power Data Open-Source Plug-and-Play Platform for Supervisory ZEB Control from Marjorie Schott Smart Meter Premises Battery Storage PV Array BACnet™ Modbus SAEJ1772 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Electric Vehicle Supply EquipmentModbus Internet (Wireless, DSL, Cable, etc.) External Networks, & Data Project Overview: Next-Generation ZEB Technology Integration Facility NREL is conducting a project to produce a ZEB supervisory load profile controller to manage multiple building-integrated resources, including controllable loads, energy storage integrated at the load level, a stationary battery at the building level, and onsite renewable energy generation. The NREL Commercial Buildings Research Group is performing a pilot demonstration of the controller using a renewable, building-scale microgrid at the NREL Vehicle Testing and Integration Facility (VTIF). The VTIF control platform concept is shown in Figure 1. Figure 1. Conceptual diagram of the VTIF ZEB supervisory control platform, including examples of end-use systems that will be considered for advanced load management. Illustration by Shanti Pless, NREL, with icons by Marjorie Schott, NREL, and iStock 2. Minimizing unexpected variability in building net load profiles 3. Minimizing or shifting net demand based on incentives in utility rate structures 4. Managing loads, generation, and storage strategically during demand response events 5. Managing loads, generation, and storage strategically and provid- ing energy surety during islanding events 6. Responding to utility control signals to provide ancillary grid services. To achieve the vision, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL’s) Commercial Buildings Research Group is: • Developing and testing platforms for controlling and integrating efficient loads, onsite generation, and onsite storage • Conducting field demonstrations of next-generation ZEBs under different grid integration scenarios • Producing modeling and decision-making tools for next-genera- tion ZEB design and operation.
- 2. National Renewable Energy Laboratory 15013 Denver West Parkway Golden, CO 80401 303-275-3000 • www.nrel.gov NREL prints on paper that contains recycled content. NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC NREL/FS-0000-00000 • June 2015 OPERATIONAL CAPABILITIES The VTIF was selected for this project because of its existing infra- structure, which includes an 18-kW dual-axis tracking photovoltaic (PV) power system, a 30-kW stationary battery, Level 2 electric vehi- cle supply equipment, and efficiency measures. It also includes major energy end-use categories (e.g., lighting, heating, cooling, plug and process loads) that are found in the commercial building sector. This project will focus on the first five of the value streams listed on the previous page. Successful demonstration at the VTIF will enable future projects to extend control development approaches to other load management objectives, as well as more building types and climates. During the design of the supervisory control algorithm, the team will consider the following use cases: 1. Meet occupant and load management needs during “normal” grid-connected operation. Variations include: a. Fixed energy and demand charges vs. time-of-use or real-time pricing b. Cases with and without net metering. 2. Offset backup fossil fuel generation infrastructure for emergency short-term needs during microgrid islanding. 3. Allow operators to manually switch the VTIF to island mode for research and educational purposes. ONGOING ACTIVITIES The NREL Commercial Buildings Research Group is performing the following activities as a part of this project: • Conduct simulation-based evaluation of battery products and con- trols offerings for compatibility with advanced load management. • Model the VTIF with OpenStudio to facilitate control platform development. • Evaluate how a purely heuristic battery control strategy for de- mand management compares to idealized control with perfect foreknowledge of load. • Review, procure, install, and commission controllable end-use technologies and electrical and thermal energy storage options. • Evaluate supervisory control strategies for coordinated dispatch of building-integrated load management resources, such as a battery, advanced lighting systems, and HVAC-integrated thermal energy storage. • Field test the VTIF control platform. • Refine control algorithms for multiple use cases. • Develop a concept for a microgrid operator user interface. • Publish key lessons and successful strategies. CONTACT Questions about the project or how to apply these concepts to other sites can be directed to Shanti Pless (shanti.pless@nrel.gov) in NREL’s Commercial Buildings Research Group. Figure 4. Microgrid operator user interface concept. Illustration by Marjorie Schott, NREL Figure 3. The VTIF.Photo by Dennis Schroeder, NREL 31843 1,000 500 0 -500 -1,000 -1,500 -2,000 Power(kW) Total Data Center Total Cooling Total Mechanical Total Car Charging Total Mechanical PV Total Lighting Net Building Utility Draw 00:00 06:00 12:00 18:00 Figure 2. Daily electricity profile of a representative zero energy commercial building without advanced load management.