Increased self-consumption and grid flexibility of PV and heat pump systems with thermal and electrical storage

The growing share of solar and wind energy sources requires increased efforts to ensure stability of the electrical grid and reliability of energy supply. Photovoltaic (PV) systems in combination with heat pumps (HP), local thermal (TES) and electrical energy storage offer the possibility to achieve higher PV self-consumption or services for stabilizing the electricity grid. Smart heat pump systems that are used in single family homes in combination with photovoltaics and local storages are tested with a hardware-in-the-loop approach on the test bench. Different system designs and control options are analyzed with system simulations (TRNSYS). The results are discussed with respect to the economical boundary conditions defined by the electricity market prices, in particular the difference between the purchase price and the feed-in tariff, with a focus on the current situation in Switzerland. The benefits of decreasing electricity purchase from the grid are compared with current prices of both electrical and thermal storages.