Control of Sector-Coupled Energy Systems with Special Consideration of Thermal Energy Storage

Photovoltaics are already a cost-efficient and low-carbon form of energy generation. Consequently, it is desirable to maximize the share of energy consumption covered by photovoltaics. However, the output of photovoltaic systems is subject to daily and seasonal fluctuations. The future energy landscape will therefore be characterized by phases of almost unlimited availability of electrical power and periods when electricity must be treated as a scarce commodity and used efficiently. Large-scale energy storage systems are essential for balancing these fluctuations.

Heating buildings requires significant amounts of energy. Currently, this demand is predominantly met through fossil fuels, which poses both technological and social challenges. New buildings achieve low energy consumption thanks to modern insulation materials. In contrast, energy-efficient refurbishment of older buildings is often prohibitively expensive. Therefore, there is an urgent need for climate-friendly heating solutions that do not require extensive structural interventions.

Water-based thermal storage tanks offer significant potential. They are characterized by low costs, a favorable climate balance, minimal losses, and high capacities. Their primary disadvantage is that stored thermal energy cannot be efficiently converted into other forms of energy. While small storage systems are widely used to compensate for short-term power fluctuations, large-scale seasonal storage systems remain rare. However, such seasonal storage systems could be implemented on the district level and connected to buildings through heating networks.

Efficient operation of such thermal storage systems requires intelligent controllers that optimize energy flow. These controllers determine when and where, what type of energy should be generated, used, transported, or stored. In addition to managing thermal and electrical energy, they may integrate other energy sources such as natural gas, hydrogen and oil. The varying volatilities of producers and consumers increase the complexity of this sector-coupled, time-variant distribution problem.

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