Hajo Ribberink

Synthetically derived profiles for representing occupant-driven electric loads in Canadian housing

As one objective of the International Energy Agencys Energy Conservation in Buildings and Community Systems Programme Annex 42, detailed Canadian household electrical demand profiles were created using a bottom-up approach from available inputs, including a detailed appliance set, annual consumption targets and occupancy patterns. These profiles were created for use in the simulation of residential cogeneration devices to examine the issues of system performance, efficiency and emission reduction potential. This article describes the steps taken to generate these 5-min electrical consumption profiles for three target single-family detached households – low, medium and high consumers, a comparison of the generated output with measured data from Hydro Québec, and a demonstration of the use of the new profiles in building performance simulations of residential cogeneration devices.

Investigation of a hybrid renewable–microgeneration energy system for power and thermal generation with reduced emissions

A conceptual study is described into the hybridization of Stirling engine-based residential cogeneration systems with solar thermal systems. Simulation results of four hybrid system configurations applied in various locations in Canada are presented and compared to Base Case systems without solar input. Additional optimization cases are discussed. Adding solar collectors to a residential cogeneration system has a clear potential to reduce natural gas consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The simulated cases showed a 10%–15% decrease in the consumption of natural gas, which corresponds to a greenhouse gas emission reduction of approximately 700–1200 kg/house/year (depending on configuration and location). Hybrid systems are complex and highly integrated systems. A full system optimization was therefore not possible in this study. Recommendations are given for further optimization of this type of systems.

A plausible forecast of the energy and emissions performance of mature-technology Stirling engine residential cogeneration systems in Canada

Building performance simulation has been used to provide a plausible estimate of the operational performance that could be expected from a mature-technology version of a Stirling engine (SE) residential cogeneration system. This was accomplished by applying lessons learned from investigating the actual performance of a prototype SE system. Simulation results show that if this mature technology system were to be applied in a single detached house with average heat demand in the province of Ontario, it would reduce both GHG and NOx emissions and would have lower primary energy input, even in comparison to a reference system consisting of the best available technology for a condensing forced-air furnace and a high-efficient water heater, and the most efficient fossil-fuels based central power production technology (natural gas fired combined cycle). It must therefore be concluded that the mature technology SE system has real potential to improve efficiencies and reduce emissions in Ontario.

Investigation of energy, emission, and cost advantages of energy hubs: A simulation case study for Toronto

This work uses TRNSYS simulations with archetypal residential and commercial building energy demand data to evaluate the performance of a multi-building energy hub with a combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) system. Within this framework, conventional and combined heat and power (CHP) energy generation technologies are implemented in different scenarios to meet the cooling, heating, and domestic hot water demands of the energy hub system. Detailed system performances over the year are simulated using an annual simulation. The energy generation, environmental impact, and economic implications of the energy hub simulation results are analyzed and compared against the same multi-building system with independent heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The results indicate that a combined system has potential benefits in local energy security, in emission reduction, and in lowering the operating costs of CHP systems in an energy hub as compared to independent systems. The results also indicate that application of CHP technology in a Toronto scenario results in a decrease in operational costs compared to a conventional HVAC system. Lastly, evaluation of the environmental impact of each simulated system indicates that the CHP system would increase emissions in an Ontario scenario.

Propagation of electrical disturbances to automotive batteries in vehicle-to-grid context

This paper investigates the effects of disturbances originating in the electric grid as well as residential appliance inrush currents on the integrity of battery packs in electric vehicles that are connected to the grid or a residence for the purpose of V2G or V2H service. Simulation results show that the effect on battery capacity loss was negligible. The large size of an automotive battery pack allows it to easily withstand the levels of current caused by typical grid based disturbances and appliance inrush currents. Thus, power grid disturbances as they exist, need not be considered a reason to refrain from employing an electric vehicle for V2G or V2H service.