Int. J. Global Warming, Vol. 13, Nos. 3/4, 2017 459
Copyright © 2017 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.
Smart hybrid renewable microgeneration system for
residential applications
Euy Joon Lee
Korea Institute of Energy Research,
Daejeon, Korea
Email: ejlee@kier.re.kr
Evgueniy Entchev*, Libing Yang and
Mohamed Ghorab
CanmetENERGY Research Centre,
Ottawa, ON, Canada
Email: Evgueniy.entchev@canada.ca
Email: Libing.yang@canada.ca
Email: Mohamed.ghorab@canada.ca
*Corresponding author
Eun Chul Kang
Korea Institute of Energy Research,
Daejeon, Korea
Email: kec8008@kier.re.kr
Abstract: Microgeneration systems generate power and heat at the point
of use by utilising a variety of conventional and renewable technologies. They
demonstrate a comparable electric efficiency to the conventional power
generation stations, good environmental performance and ability to serve as a
source for both primary and back-up power. Assembled in microgrids
or in ‘virtual power plant’ they can serve multiple buildings and be active
participants in load management efforts both on site and on the grid. The study
investigates the performance of a hybrid renewable ground source heat pump
(GSHP)/photovoltaic thermal (PVT) microgeneration system serving multiple
residential and small office buildings in Ottawa, Canada and Incheon,
South Korea. The analysis shows that the energy performance of the
GSHP/PVT system results in considerable overall energy savings in
comparison to conventional and single GSHP system due to the higher
renewable component. The energy analysis results indicate that the extra capital
investment incurred to the GSHP-PVT system is possible to be returned within
its lifespan, especially with the current trend of continuous equipment and
installation price reductions. Further reducing of buildings’ dependence from
the electricity grid could also be achieved within the ‘smart energy networks’
concept and with utilities various load shaving and load levelling strategies.
Keywords: hybrid system; simulation; load sharing; photovoltaic thermal;
ground source heat pump.