Time shift of household energy use through smart control of heat pumps

Important results from the project

Easyserv´s idea is to get the country´s residential heat pumps to contribute to increased user flexibility in the electricity grid. Examples are hour price control, power control, flex-services etc. During the peak load hour, the heat pumps take as much power as 4-5 nuclear reactors produce. The goal of the project has been to improve control using self-learning algorithms. The project has shown that the thermal inertia varies greatly between different villas, and by calculating this and individually controlling based on these parameters, the flexibility capacity can be increased.

Expected long term effects

The tests carried out during the last winter season have yielded a saving in energy costs of 6.7% on total consumption (approx. 10-13% for heating). During the current winter season, it is estimated that the capacity will increase by 30-50%, thanks to more efficient algorithms and where these are adapted to the heating system and the choice of the residential household. Next season, the algorithms are planned to be more individually controlled based on thermal inertia, and the savings are estimated to be 20-25% in reduced energy costs for the residential household.

Approach and implementation

About 80 res. household had equipment installed since March-23. A further 100 units are now being installed. Development of algorithms must be carried out in stages, starting with a uniform algorithm. Based on this pilot, we have been able to analyze the thermal inertia time constant, and theoretical pause time and recovery time have been developed. This will be the basis for the development of new algorithms. Several other factors will affect in practice, e.g. the dimensioning of the heating system, type, residents´ requirements for comfort and outdoor climate.