Question-and-Answer Resource for the Building Energy Modeling Community
Get started with the Help page
Ask Your Question
2

Local Energy Flexibility Market Capabilities in EnergyPlus

asked 2025-06-06 08:27:35 -0500

Behnam's avatar

updated 2025-06-08 09:37:41 -0500

Hi EnergyPlus developers and users,

I hope this message finds you well.

I would like to ask a question regarding the potential for simulating a local energy flexibility market using EnergyPlus.

Specifically, consider a scenario involving two buildings simulated within EnergyPlus: one equipped with on-site generation (e.g., PV systems), and the other without. During certain hours, the building with on-site generation produces surplus electricity. I am wondering whether it is possible, instead of exporting this excess energy to the grid, to simulate the transfer of this energy directly to the other building.

In essence, this would require modeling two distinct electricity purchasing mechanisms: one from the main utility grid and another from neighboring buildings within a local energy network.

I am not sure whether EnergyPlus currently supports such a capability and would greatly appreciate your insights or any possible workarounds to model this functionality.

Thank you very much for your time and support.

Sincerely, Behnam Mohseni Gharyehsafa Maynooth, Ireland

edit retag flag offensive close merge delete

Comments

Hello Behnam, This is a great problem! I was reviewing the ElectricLoadCenter:Distribution object looking for an input field defining the delivery of the surplus electricity. I didn't see anything. All surplus electricity seems to be delivered to the grid, without any other options.

Greg Estep's avatar Greg Estep  ( 2025-06-07 20:45:54 -0500 )edit

Hi EnergyPlus developers and users,

Is it possible to apply such methodology in EnergyPlus environment?

Behnam's avatar Behnam  ( 2025-06-18 04:15:35 -0500 )edit

2 Answers

Sort by » oldest newest most voted
1

answered 2025-06-19 14:49:11 -0500

Could you just model both buildings as a single building? That way, the PV system would serve "both" building loads before exporting excess to the grid.

edit flag offensive delete link more
0

answered 2025-06-10 07:01:00 -0500

MikeBarker's avatar

Behnam, Greg. Indeed - a great question. Maybe EnergyPlus + Modelica can solve for multiple buildings in a neighbourhood. Also, take a look at URBANopt - https://www.nrel.gov/buildings/urbanopt

Then join us over at IBPSA's EnergyPlus + Modelica LinedIN Group if you wish - IBPSA - EnergyPlus - Modelica

3,050 members https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2085105 

edit flag offensive delete link more

Comments

Hi Mike, thank you for your message and invitations for LinkedIN groups; I checked the documentations for both, I could not find this kind of feature

Behnam's avatar Behnam  ( 2025-06-10 10:40:07 -0500 )edit

Your Answer

Please start posting anonymously - your entry will be published after you log in or create a new account.

Add Answer

Training Workshops

Question Tools

1 follower

Stats

Asked: 2025-06-06 08:27:35 -0500

Seen: 138 times

Last updated: 2 hours ago