DSO challenges from introduction of heat pumps

Project Details

Description

Danish distribution grid companies (DSO) have for many years planned their 400 V grid structure and operation according to well-known parameters based on knowledge about typical load profiles for different types of customers. However customer load profiles, especially in residential areas, are changing as new technologies are introduced. Especially the dramatic increase of the number of photo voltaic (PV) installation has within recent years changed the traditional load curves for the 400 V grid giving rise to challenges of variation in voltage levels and power quality problems.
The next expected change in typical load curves for the 400 V grid in domestic areas is the introduction of heat pumps as replacement for oil and gas boilers. The Danish government has with its redistribution of energy taxes made it even more attractive for house owners to exchange the existing boiler with a heat pump. As heat pumps utilises "free" energy from the surroundings to heat the house, the cost of operation becomes lower than the traditional boiler. This in combination with the lowered energy tax on power makes the heat pump an attractive investment for manu house owners, and it is therefore anticipated that the number of heat pumps will increase substantially within the next few years with up to 100.000 installed heat pumps in 2020.

The introduction of PVs and heat pumps has and will change typical load curves of the 400 V distribution grids hereby increasing the usage of the grid. The utilization of the low voltage networks varies from a few tenths of percent up to 80-90 percent depending on:
- whether it is the current or the voltage that are the limiting factor
- the layout and extent of the network
- when the network was build and how the load has developed since then
- how well balanced the load are among the three phases
- whether or not distributed generation are fed in to the network.

The usage of some low voltage networks is likely to increase up till 2-4 hours with the expected introduction of heat pumps following the development of the installed PVs. This introduces challenges in some of the networks and requires substantial investments in new infrastructure if not controlled intelligently. However the increased usage can also be considered as an opportunity for the DSOs as the increased usage of the grid results in increased income from grid transport tariffs.
This project will focus on the challenges DSOs are facing as a result of the introduction of heat pumps, but also on the opportunities for the DSOs to increase the usage of their grid and thereby increase their utilization of their assets.
StatusFinished
Effective start/end date01/02/201431/07/2016

Collaborative partners

  • Dansk Energi (Project partner)
  • Trefor El-net A/S (Project partner)
  • Østkraft Holding A/S (Project partner) (lead)

Funding

  • Energinet SOV: DKK9,927,906.00

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