Solar-powered Multi-energy Hub for Electric Vehicle and District Heating Thermal Energy Storage

Transportation electrification and adoption of district heating (DH) are both critical technical approaches toward the European Union's (EU's) carbon neutrality goal in 2050.

However, the expansion of electric vehicle (EV) adoption is currently impeded by power supply shortage, where the situation is similar for the DH regarding thermal energy supply.

Distributed photovoltaics for EV (PV-EV) charging is a promising solution because they can be deployed at reasonable costs with flexible capacities and locations. However, the inherent mismatch between power generation and charging demand remains unsolved.

This project proposes to develop a novel distributed solar-powered multi-energy hub that integrates PV-EV charging stations and DH thermal energy storage for improving renewable self-consumption, alleviating EV-induced grid stress, and enhancing DH energy flexibility.

Excess PV power is exported to thermal network via heating device, storing energy in the thermal inertia of the DH network and end-user buildings, and reducing peak heating demand.Development of the multi-energy hub will be achieved through joint efforts of numerical simulation and real-life studies.

A comprehensive performance investigation will be conducted for the proposed multi-energy hub to identify its design boundary, based on which a simulation-based design optimization method will be developed. For improving its operating performance, a model-predictive control framework will be established.

Finally, a proof-of-concept of the multi-energy hub and the control framework will be achieved through testing on energy planning and design of existing and new areas.

With the EV adoptions and renewable penetration facilitated by the multi-energy hub, the research outcomes will effectively contribute to the EU's carbon neutrality target.