Automated demand-side flexibility identification and utilization in energy optimization

The utilization of demand-side flexibility is vital in future energy systems where the supply-side relies on renewable energy sources. In this transition, it is widely recognized that the building sector will hold a key role in providing demand-side flexibility, being currently responsible for 40% of total energy consumption in the EU. To provide this flexibility, advanced building control must be made more accessible considering that most buildings today still use inflexible rule-based control. Currently, implementation of advanced building control is associated with cumbersome and time-consuming manual work which requires expert knowledge. In this work, a data-driven and autonomous approach is therefore proposed, in the form of three general project objectives, to overcome these barriers. Namely, building energy modelling and performance data monitoring and evaluation algorithms will be identified to support energy flexibility identification and quantification. Subsequently, an automated building flexibility methodology will be developed to form the basis for energy operational optimization. Finally, this methodology will be implemented and tested in case studies to assess the impact on the energy system operation.