Smart Grid Enabled Heat Pumps: An Empirical Platform for Investigating how Residential Heat Pumps can Support Large-scale Integration of Intermittent Renewables

AbstractThe transition towards a 100% fossil-free energy system, while achieving extreme penetration levels of intermittent wind and solar power in electricity generation, requires demand-side technologies that are smart (intermittency-friendly) and efficient.The integration of Smart Grid enabling technologies has been widely acknowledged by the industry and academia as the key to achieve a more reliable, efficient and secure grid. However, there is a lack of information about real flexibility with an active participation from customers. In this paper, we combine techno-economic model results with an empirical study in order to achieve a number of recommendations with respect to technology concepts and control strategies that would allow residential compression heat pumps to support large-scale integration of intermittent renewables.The analysis is based on data gathered over a period of up to 3 years period for 283 residential heat pumps installed and operating in Denmark. The results are used to assess the flexibility of domestic heat pumps and their ability to follow production