Energy flexibility of residential buildings using a novel multi-zone demand controlled ventilation and heating system

Growing reliance on renewable resources increases the imbalance between supply and demand of electric power and increases the risk of overloading the distribution power grid. This stimulates new solutions to mitigate the impact of unpredictable renewable resources on the stability of power grid. Among the most promising proposed solutions is activating the energy flexibility of small electricity consumers. Residential buildings can provide flexibility services by adjustment of HVAC system energy use and in return, they can benefit in several ways. This paper introduces a hierarchical control design enabling the utilization of residential HVAC systems in flexibility markets. A recently novel-designed HVAC system is introduced that can improve the energy flexibility of residential buildings. A detailed model of a single-family house was developed in IDA ICE program. Heat load calculations over the winter season indicate circa 11.5% improvement in energy saving when the novel HVAC system is employed in the building.