Project location: CanmetENERGY Ottawa, Ottawa, ON
Timeline: 5 years (2023-2028)
Program: Funded by the Program of Energy R&D
Project Overview and Objectives
The Challenge
Widespread electrification of space and water heating systems in buildings poses a significant risk to the stability of the existing electrical grid. The increased adoption of heat pumps, alongside the electrification of transportation and other demands, strains the grid's capacity. To avoid costly grid upgrades, we need to find solutions that minimize peak electricity demand.
The Solution: Thermal Energy Storage (TESS)
Integrating Thermal Energy Storage (TESS) systems with HVAC systems offers a promising solution. TESS allows the storage of thermal energy, enabling the shifting of energy consumption to off-peak hours and reducing reliance on the grid during peak demand.
Benefits of TESS Integration:
- Reduced peak demand: Flattens the electricity demand curve, alleviating pressure on the grid during peak hours.
- Increased renewable energy utilization: Stores excess renewable energy generated by on-site systems or purchased from the grid.
- Improved heat pump efficiency: Mitigates the impact of cold weather and defrost cycles on heat pump performance.
- Enhanced grid resilience: Minimizes the impact of grid congestion and improves the reliability of building heating during power outages.
- Cost savings: Reduces reliance on expensive grid electricity and minimizes the need for costly grid upgrades.
- Increased building resilience: Provides a backup heating source during extreme weather events.
- Enables grid-interactive operations: Facilitates utility-controlled charging, contributing to a more resilient and efficient grid.
Project Activities
CanmetENERGY is actively researching and developing TESS solutions for Canadian buildings. Our focus includes:
- Developing TESS performance standards: Leading the development of national and international standards for TESS equipment performance testing.
- Advancing TESS technology: Collaborating with manufacturers to advance the development of high-performance TESS systems for Canadian applications.
- Validating system performance: Conducting laboratory and field research to validate the performance of integrated TESS-HVAC systems.
- Developing design tools: Creating tools to assist designers, builders, and operators in the design, integration, and operation of TESS systems.
- Assessing grid impacts: Modeling the potential impacts of TESS on grid operations, including peak demand reduction and grid stability.
- Raising stakeholder awareness: Educating stakeholders, including utilities, regulators, and policymakers, on the benefits and potential of TESS technologies.
Contact CanmetENERGY Ottawa
To learn more about this project, email our Office of Research Partnerships and External Relations.