E-HUB

Energy-Hub for residential and commercial districts and transport

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The ambition of this project is to enable the utilisation of the full potential of renewable energy (up to covering 100% of the energy demand on district level). In order to reach this goal, the E-hub concept is developed, which is crucial for the implementation of such a large share of renewables. An E-Hub is a physical cross point, similar to an energy station, in which energy and information streams are interconnected, and where the different forms of energy can be converted into each other and/or can be stored. The E-hub exchanges energy via the energy grids between the different actors (e.g. households, renewable energy plants, offices), who may be a consumer at one time, and a supplier at another time. The consumers and suppliers exchange information on their energy needs and energy production with the energy hub, the hub then distributes the energy available in the most efficient way. For proper matching of supply and demand, the E-hub uses conversion and storage of energy, as well as load shifting. The consumers and suppliers should be connected to this E-hub by means of bi-directional energy grids (low and/or high temperature heat grid, cold grid for cooling, electrical grid (AC and/or DC), gas grid (H2, biogas, syngas). The renewable energy may be generated locally (e.g. from PV on residences) or by centralised means (a geothermal plant or a large CHP located within the district that may be fuelled by biofuel or H2). The E-Hub concept holds for all types of energy flow, from heating and cooling to electricity, biogas and H2, and may connect not only households but also (electrical) cars, commercial buildings or industry. The aim of the proposed project is: to develop the e-hub as a system, to develop technologies that are necessary to realize the system, to develop business models in order to overcome institutional and financial barriers, and to demonstrate an E-hub in the form of a real situation and in a few case studies/feasibility studies.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Efforts to substantially boost the consumption of renewable energy are burdening power grids across Europe, leading to increased economic and environmental concerns. An EU initiative has designed systems and methods to realise low-energy districts.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Renewable energy supply fluctuates, and matching its demand and supply is becoming all the more challenging. Intelligent energy management systems and energy storage systems are needed to accommodate a large share of renewable energy in Europe's existing energy infrastructure.

The EU-funded http://www.e-hub.org/ (E-HUB) (Energy-hub for residential and commercial districts and transport) project set out to maximise the use of on-site renewable energy at district level by matching its energy demand and supply.

Project partners began by categorising various district types and analysing their different load profiles. They then mapped the equipment that can be used in an E-HUB district and examined their performance.

Thermal storage and smart control are key components of E-HUB. Thermal storage allows a control system to match the supply and demand of heat. Thermal storage technologies were designed following research on novel storage methods.

Team members developed a smart energy management system to match supply and demand of electricity and heat simultaneously. A full-scale demonstration was successfully conducted by installing the system in 106 dwellings and 9 commercial spaces in an innercity district under development in Belgium.

A simulation tool to evaluate new types of energy systems for existing and new districts was also created and implemented in four Member States and China.

To make the developed system attractive to end users and meet their increasing energy demands, the team developed a set of novel business models. They are all based on the flexibility of the energy consumed or generated within the district, and are integrated into the system.

E-HUB envisioned a sustainable community that strives for economic, ecological and social balance. With fossil fuels expected to run out and the demand for energy to increase, existing energy supply systems are undergoing radical changes. E-HUB helped enhance several types of thermal storage technologies to manage the variability of renewable energy. In doing so, it demonstrated how to fully exploit the potential of renewable energy.