Review of control strategies for improving the energy flexibility provided by heat pump systems in buildings

Reference Type Journal Article
Year of Publication
2019
Contributors Author: Thibault Q. Péan
Author: Jaume Salom
Author: Ramon Costa-Castelló
Journal
Journal of Process Control
Volume
74
Pagination
35–49
Language
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Keywords
Abstract
The present work constitutes a review of the existing literature on supervisory control for improving the energy flexibility provided by heat pumps in buildings. A distinction was drawn between rule-based controls (RBC) and model predictive controls (MPC), given the clear differences in their concept and complexity. For both kinds, the different objectives claimed by these strategies have been reviewed, as well as the control inputs, disturbances and constraints. Notably in MPC, the monetary objective (reduction of the energy costs) has been the most utilized in the literature, therefore the authors advocate for the further study of other objectives related to energy flexibility. Further than the control strategies themselves, the different thermal storage options (necessary to activate the flexibility) have also been reviewed, the built-in thermal mass seeming more cost-effective than water buffer tanks in this regard. Based on these conclusions, recommendations for further research topics are drawn.
DOI
10.1016/j.jprocont.2018.03.006