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Project Leader
Guy Newsham
Phone: 613-993-9607
Fax: 613-954-3733
Email: Guy.Newsham@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Power Nap: Developing and Demonstrating Zero-Peak Houses
Objectives
To investigate how Canadian homes can become zero-peak power consumers, and to demonstrate a practical zero-peak house.
Background
“Zero-peak” means drawing no power from the grid at times of peak system-wide demand, and will become increasingly important to a sustainable energy future. It can be achieved through a combination of more efficient house design, shifting demand to off-peak times with advanced controls, appliances, and changes in occupant behaviour, and local power generation and storage.
Statement of Work
- Analyze how homeowners use electricity during peak-periods using data on energy use from Smartmeters and the metering of major appliances as well as from demographic data.
- Identify promising technology options for further study such as thermostat control or direct load control, motorized shading devices, occupancy sensors, and appliances with interruptible operation.
- Explore the effects of feedback devices and pricing regimes on peak demand, and technology that supports homeowners in changing their daily patterns of electricity use in convenient and persistent ways.
- Evaluate prospective residential energy production during peak periods using solar photovoltaic panels and the storing of energy generated off-peak.
- Explore house design options that might reduce peak energy demand, such as advanced low-e windows, fixed shading devices, elevated thermal mass, increased insulation levels, higher thermal reflectivity of roofs and walls, and optimized daylighting.
- Commission and demonstrate a zero peak house.
Expected Outcomes
- A series of reports and scientific articles on the above work tasks.
- A full-scale house that can reliably be taken off-grid at peak demand times, which will serve to encourage the wider adoption of the chosen techniques.
Partners
Natural Resources Canada Program for Energy Research and Development, University of Waterloo, Carleton University, Milton Hydro, Idaho Power.
Start/Expected Completion Dates
This project began in 2008 and will be completed in 2012.
Publications
The effect of household characteristics on total and peak electricity use in summerNewsham, G.R. Birt, B.J. Rowlands, I.H.
Energy Studies Review, 18 (1)
pp. 20-33. 2011-02-01
[Full citation / Référence complète]
A comparison of four methods to evaluate the effect of a utility residential air-conditioner load control program on peak electricity use
Newsham, G.R. Birt, B. Rowlands, I.H.
Energy Policy, 39 (10)
pp. 6376-6389. 2011-09-01
[Full citation / Référence complète]
Can smart technologies reduce home energy use?
NRC Dimensions, Issue 6, 2011
The effect of utility time-varying pricing and load control strategies on residential summer peak electricity use: a review
Newsham, G.R Bowker, B.G.
Energy Policy, 38 (7)
pp. 3289-3296. 2010-07-01
[Full citation / Référence complète]
