Evaluation of load matching and grid interaction indexes of a net plus-energy house in Brazil with a hybrid PV system and demand-side management

Abstract

This paper analyzes four scenarios of PV system configuration and proposes an optimized hybrid PV system size in order to improve Load Matching and Grid Interaction (LMGI) indicators, describing the yearly and daily variations of the indexes. A net plus-energy house is modeled in EnergyPlus under humid subtropical and dry tropical climates and electricity flows in the house and with the power grid are based on a high level battery controller simulated with different PV-battery sizes. An economic analysis is presented through two supporting schemes in order to perform analyses of Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE), grid parity and system payback time. The results demonstrated the combination of load-shifting demand-side management and small-scale PV-battery capacities provide improvements on building self-consumption and on the effects on the grid. The economic study indicates the building reaches better profitability under current Brazilian net-metering scheme in scenarios without batteries, reducing the payback time and LCOE sensibility analysis indicate the importance in reducing PV costs and to promote financial incentives.