The effectiveness of decentralised electro-thermal load shifting strategies in low voltage network violation management

The IPCC 1.5 °C report highlights the need to reduce UK carbon emissions by 80% 2050, and so it is essential to examine the routes that could be taken to achieve this goal. Replacement of traditional boiler systems with heat pumps (using electricity from clean sources) in residences may aid decarbonization of the energy sector. However, typical LV distribution networks are not designed to carry the increased loads will result from this change, and so it is necessary to explore strategies to mitigate any adverse effects of such loads.

In this study, we examine the effect of air source heat pumps on voltage and thermal violations experienced by a typical UK LV network. The effect of decentralized heating system operational strategies (pre-heating, thermostat setback, and space heat buffering) on results is then investigated. Finally, the sensitivity of results to external temperature, network topology, and building fabric standard are examined.

It is found that no mixture of strategies is sufficient to significantly improve localized voltage conditions at remote/branch points on LV feeders, as a result of the much greater sensitivity of branch node voltages to power demand of localized loads. Even where EN 50160 voltage standards are applied, elimination of violations is rarely possible.