Installation of Photovoltaic units and electrical storage with smart energy management software, including different innovative PV cells (i.e. half-cell) and different urban integrations (i.e. PV pergola). The management software gathers relevant information and optimizes the energy flows based on real-time operation and forecasts of building consumption, weather and grid electricity prices.
Naturgy tested the viability of the business model as an ESCo that offers electricity self-consumption installations (PV and battery) to building owners. The research centre IREC developed the smart management software that controls the battery storage to optimize the performance of the system (usage of renewables, emissions, costs, etc.). These local electricity generation units were installed in a residential building, a youth day-care service centre and at Naturgy’s headquarters in Barcelona.
Result description
The inputs for the smart management system developed at IREC include: weather forecast affecting energy production, electricity prices forecast and building demand forecast in order to correctly balance the system in real time.
Lessons learnt
It is important to define a database maintenance procedure. The required accurate monitoring of smartly controlled self-consumption systems leads to a collection of very large amounts of data. Database maintenance is very important in order to have consistent data. Depending on the battery inverter manufacturer, the integration of energy management systems may be technically challenging.
Having regulation that facilitates the installation of distributed energy generation units is key for its replicability. New Spanish regulation (RD244) has allowed the collective self-consumption (i.e. various consumers associated to a photovoltaic generation installation) with different specificities. This use drastically reduces the payback period and is beneficial in case of multiple consumers with complementary load curves.
Addressing target audiences and expressing needs
- We are sharing our knowledge
- Others/ No specific audience
- Public or private funding institutions
- Other Actors who can help us fulfil our market potential
- Research and Technology Organisations
- Academia/ Universities
- Private Investors
Result submitted to Horizon Results Platform by FUNDACIO INSTITUT DE RECERCA DE L’ENERGIA DE CATALUNYA
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