Modelling the integration of heat pumps for large heating applications into the power grid

Abstract

This thesis investigates the impact of large-scale heat pump operation on the energy infrastructure in the city of Hamburg. The objective is to determine how the operation of the large-scale heat pumps can be optimised economically, with respect to grid support and the fulfilment of heat demand requirements. For this purpose, a Python-based model was developed, and the system characteristics of the large-scale heat pumps and the surrounding infrastructure were mapped and linked to various input data regarding heat demand, price signals and grid data. The simulation results show that a price-led operation performs better than a heat-led operation when compromising between operating costs and district heat demand coverage. Furthermore, the results indicate the future potential for large-scale heat pumps in Hamburg to replace conventional power plants in the context of redispatch interventions. Here, in a simplified approach a maximum coverage rate of 51.9 % of redispatch-related energy in Hamburg is achieved by adjusting the large-scale heat pump operation in response to grid signals in 2024.