TOOLBOX

Building-to-grid Energy Simulation Framework

The combination of EnergyPlus, Modelica, and Spawn of EnergyPlus offers a scalable, interoperable solution for energy system analysis at building and district levels. It enables energy demand modeling, control strategy testing, and grid impact assessments. The framework integrates tools and technologies to analyze interactions between household energy systems and district grids. At the building level, it simulates energy demand by analyzing thermal performance, HVAC operation, and occupant behavior. At the district level, it aggregates outputs like electricity demand, renewable generation, and storage to assess collective energy behavior. This approach enhances understanding of grid impacts from DERs (e.g., PV systems, batteries, EV chargers) and supports advanced control strategies for optimizing energy efficiency and balancing demand. It also enables scenario-based analysis to test grid stability and resilience under conditions like high PV penetration, EV charging peaks, and extreme weather, offering actionable insights.

Lead partners

Technology Readiness Level (TRL)

TRL6 to TRL8

User journey

Building modelling including envelope, HVAC systems, electrical loads, occupancy schedules, on-site RES, and energy storage and Grid modelling including feeders, transformers, loads, and grid constraints (voltage limits, line capacities)

A co-simulation interface defining exchanged variables such as: building demand and flexibility, RES generation and storage state, grid prices, congestion signals, or operational limits.

A co-simulation of building behaviour accounting grid power flows with information exchanged iteratively or time-step-wise.

Scenarios evaluation for demand response events, load shifting, RES self-consumption, storage operation, and congestion mitigation

Assessment of building comfort, energy performance, grid impacts, effectiveness of flexibility strategies.