Integrating renewable energy generation through demand-side management

Potentials to heat residential buildings using energy generated from wind and solar power are evaluated. Heat would be supplied by heat pumps that use excess electricity. Even when ambient temperatures are around freezing well insulated houses can maintain their temperature for days without internal heating. This would allow shifting operating of electrical heat pumps to times when excess electricity is available. In a case study we analyze the energy system of Wolfhagen, a city of 14,000 inhabitants in northern Hesse that already generates about 20% of its own electricity consumption by photovoltaic and plans to erect a municipal wind park. During the cold period (October to March) wind and solar power would produce about 11.7 GWh of electric energy. Heat pumps with a coefficient of performance of 3 could generate 35 GWh of residential heat from this. That corresponds to 60% of the current residential heat consumption of Wolfhagen. Coupling electricity generation and residential heat supply has the potential to play an important role in future demand side management concepts for buildings.