New houses can shift power demand; old ones can't, Swedish study finds
Researchers simulated how Swedish homes could reduce peak electricity demand by storing heat in building materials and floors. Modern houses with floor heating proved far more flexible than older radiator-heated homes—a finding that matters as utilities worldwide seek to balance grids powered by variable renewables.
Originaltitel: Energy flexibility using thermal mass for Swedish single-family houses
<p>This paper characterised the potential of energy flexibility in relation to building envelop properties, heat emitters and ventilation for the Swedish context. Simulation results indicated that the potential was higher for newer houses with floor heating and lower for older houses with radiators in winter. Older houses with different levels of insulation showed a similar ability of conserving heat due to different extents of heat losses from ventilation. A house with balanced ventilation tended to be over-ventilated especially if the house was not airtight. The flexibility was decreased with increasing outdoor temperatures, and it was higher in winter and lower in spring/autumn. </p>