Presenting the project SekQuaSens3: combining a networked sensor concept with model-based decisions for optimized energy flow in a district

Abstract

Battery electric vehicles and heating are the largest energy consumers of a neighbourhood. Therefore, we present the project SekQuaSens3 of the German Aerospace Center that started in 2023 and that will run until the end of 2025. In this project, a concept to aggregate data via networked sensors to reap the benefits of coupling transportation, heating and energy supply in a district will be developed. The decentralized, networked sensor data inputs will be used to facilitate decisions with neural networks based on simulation models, vehicles present at the buildings and movement profiles of the residents to optimize energy flows in a digitally replicated (urban) district. The sensors we want to employ will continuously send state-of-charge and capacity of each vehicle for example. In addition, especially the presence and absence of the vehicles are considered for the control of bidirectional energy flows. The models we will combine in the project are TAPAS (Travel and Activity Patterns Simulation), SUMO (Simulation of Urban MObility), a model for district thermal energy requirements based on Modelica and oemof (open energy modelling framework) and MTRESS (Model Template for Residential Energy Supply Systems). Autonomous communication between vehicles, other stakeholders and facilities in a district will be built and validated, while evaluating the potential benefit in terms of reducing the use of fossil-based energy in different scenarios. Calculating a first order flexibility potential of the electricity demand of an exemplary district in Berlin, a flexibility of 50 % was calculated for each day and household in 2050 using bidirectional Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). A possible CO2 reduction of 7.5 % each year for 2030 was calculated using load shifting.