Strategies to Reduce Peak Load Demand for Net-Zero Energy Housing Equipped with Variable-Capacity Air Source Heat Pumps and PV/Wind/Grid/Battery Systems
Whether through electricity or natural gas, space heating represents a large portion of a home’s energy consumption. Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) have the potential to operate over three times more efficiently than conventional space heating methods. Since these devices use electricity to heat or cool a home, their implementation can results in significant reductions in greenhouse gas production, particularly when paired with renewable energy generation. This project investigates control strategies aimed to reduce or eliminate peak-load demand of an ASHP. Control software was developed and implemented on a system comprised of an ASHP, photovoltaic (PV) array, small-scale wind turbine, and battery bank. The software communicated with the battery bank inverter/charger to shift the load of the ASHP to off-peak demand times, with greater than 90% effectiveness depending on demand.