Project in Sustainable Energy: Extension of Residential Electricity Demand Model for the Case of Malta

Abstract

A lo largo del trabajo se analizan y adaptan diferentes modelos (software) que simulan la demanda energética de viviendas particulares. Estos modelos se basan en características de los electrodomésticos, elementos lumínicos y tecnologías que se favorecen de las energías renovables que se encuentran instaladas en la vivienda, además de patrones que estiman el comportamiento de los residentes. El objetivo es analizar y comparar varios escenarios en función de las características de cada modelo, todos ellos adaptados al caso de Malta

In order to keep within the 2 ºC world temperature increase set in the Paris Agreement and thus avoid irreversible climate change, the world is undergoing a transition, and low carbon technologies are becoming more and more important. In a context where almost seventeen percent of the total carbon dioxide emissions in the world are emitted by households, energy efficiency can provide an important contribution to reduce the amount of carbon emissions. The purpose of this dissertation is to analyse and understand the main sources of electricity consumption in the case of the Maltese households and the impact of the emerging technologies towards a low carbon economy. This is achieved using different available residential load profile models applied to the case of Malta. In particular, models developed by different universities such as EDPG (Electricity Demand Profile Generator by University of Strathclyde), ALPG (Artificial Load Profile Generator by University of Twente), and CREST (Centre for Renewable Energy Systems by Loughborough University) were researched. However, the last model was not used due to lack of time. The EDPG model was applied to study the differences in energy demand requirements by various localities and households. The determination of appropriate energy demand profiles for a key pre-requisite for the implementation of protocols favouring smart readiness and other initiatives aiming towards a low carbon economy. The ALPG model was adapted to study the impact of the emerging technologies such as solar photovoltaics and charging for electric vehicles on the energy demand profile. Using a combination of statistical data of households in localities, actual energy consumption of electrical equipment and calibration, it was possible to generate typical energy consumption profiles for the different households. The impact of introducing PV to generate green electricity and charge electric vehicles were also analysed.