Thermal Storage in a Heat Pump Heated Living Room Floor for Urban District Power Balancing - Effects on Thermal Comfort, Energy Loss and Costs for Residents

For the Dutch smart grid demonstration project Meppelenergie, the effects of controlled thermal energy storage within the floor heating structure of a living room by a heat pump are investigated. Storage possibilities are constrained by room operative and floor temperatures. Simulations indicate limitations for floor heating storage due to absorption of solar energy within the house. To balance power for district renewable energy supply, substantial energy can be stored into the floor without violating comfort limits. Heat loss to the outside due to floor heating storage is small in case of low energy houses and can be financially compensated. This may result in a proposition for residents which is equivalent to heating without thermal storage for power balancing purposes.