Demonstrating a Qualitative Control of a Hybrid Energy System in Reducing Energy Costs of a Residential Building

Today, many buildings are equipped with several renewable energy sources. The problem is how to take full advantage of their energy production. This includes decreasing the share and costs of external energy - usually electrical energy delivered from the grid. The following pages present a qualitative control designed to solve the problem. The approach is demonstrated using a simulated residential building equipped with a hybrid energy system: an energy storage combined with an electrical heater, a geothermal heat pump and a solar thermal collector. Consequently, the share of renewable energy was increased, and conversely, costs and share of the external energy from grid decreased. Still, the indoor conditions could be kept at a comfortable level. The method serves as one approach in developing a generic control strategy for multi-energy buildings.