Climate change poses a significant threat to global lifestyles, necessitating urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). The Netherlands, committed to the Paris Climate Agreement, faces the challenge of meeting ambitious emission reduction targets set by the European Union's Fit for 55 initiative. However, the integration of renewable energy sources, particularly solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind, and the electrification of industrial processes, strain the electricity grid, leading to grid congestion.
This thesis addresses the pressing question of designing and implementing renewable energy configurations in mixed business parks to increase renewable electricity usage and reduce grid congestion. Through a comprehensive approach, stakeholders are engaged, and a novel simulation tool combining Excel, Python, and EnergyPLAN is developed to evaluate various configurations.
Nine criteria, spanning economic, technological, social, and environmental aspects, are used to assess different configurations. A configuration featuring 6 MWp rooftop solar PV in an East/West orientation and 15% demand flexibility emerges as the optimal solution, significantly reducing grid congestion while providing economic benefits. Wind energy configurations coupled with solar PV achieve notable CO2 reduction but face integration challenges and higher costs.
Implications of integrating solar PV and flexibility extend to economic benefits, adaptation requirements, and exemplar roles for park stakeholders, governments, and Distribution System Operators (DSOs). Recommendations are provided for stakeholders involved in the energy transition, emphasizing collaboration, investment, and capacity building.
Future research should focus on including other energy and material flows on mixed business parks; a broader evaluation of the value proposition beyond direct economic benefits for the users on the park; and an in-depth analysis of the electricity balance using a detailed representation of the grid infrastructure. ... Read more