Energy Efficiency and Grid-Independent Buildings

Abstract

The proliferation of solar homes with photovoltaics and without energy storage promotes the electric power supply–demand mismatch and impedes the higher market adoption of renewable energy in buildings and the decarbonization of the electricity generation industry. Solar buildings with energy storage, the grid-independent buildings, will alleviate this problem. Computations have been performed to determine the required photovoltaic power and energy storage for such homes in a region where air conditioning is vital and consumes substantial electric energy. The methodology of the computations is based on the hourly matching of the electric power demand with solar energy supply considering the improved efficiency and conservation measure effects in the building. The aim is to determine the effect of efficiency measures on required infrastructure (nominal power, required storage, and dissipation) for the transition to renewables. The results show that higher energy efficiency and conservation measures in buildings will have beneficial future consequences by reducing the needed photovoltaics nominal power by 63% and the required energy storage by 73%. A related and welcome consequence is the reduction of dissipation in the storage–regeneration processes by 60%. The computational results strongly support the conclusion that energy efficiency and conservation measures in the households must proceed before or together with the transition to renewable power.