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Local Energy Generation Systems
There are many examples of significant energy savings initiated thanks to automation systems, e.g. in heating control or daylight control for lighting systems. The efficiency potential of an integrated approach with sustainable energy generation can be even larger.
In order to envisage how smart domestic appliances can be designed to operate in relation with local energy generation systems, it is necessary to learn about the typical modes of operation of systems used for local energy generation.
These systems can be renewable energy production systems, micro-cogeneration installations and/or hot water storage systems.
The possibility that a generation device will produce electricity and heat, while consumer loads will vary independently, increases the scope for “smart” energy consuming devices even further.
Similar to domestic appliances, local energy generation systems are usually optimised fir stand-alone use. A concept for communication and user-interaction will be developed, opening the way for interactive optimisation.
The potential technical implementation of this concepts will be assessed, by making maximum possible use of existing industrial standards, although Smart-A does not deal with technological development.
The work will follow a four-step approach:
- Identification of potential benefits from smart appliances for local energy generation systems
- Evaluation of possible communication containers
- Integration of user preferences and behaviour into the implementation strategy
- Consumption and cost of intelligent systems.
Part of this work will be done in conjunction with the activities on Case Studies.
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