@thesis{Sheryar2024, author = {Sheryar, Muhammad}, title = {Reinforcement learning for building energy system control in multi-family buildings}, publisher = {Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt}, address = {Ingolstadt}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:573-44608}, pages = {viii, 42}, year = {2024}, abstract = {The demand for heat energy is increasing worldwide and to achieve net zero carbon emissions targets, more innovation is needed for heat production. Heat pumps are considered a potential replacement for boilers and are currently in high demand. The next approach is to optimize the use of heat pumps with household PV production to avoid grid overloading due to running increased demand by the heat pump. In this work, a Reinforcement Learning algorithm is used in the MATLAB RL toolbox with an energy-building model built in MATLAB Simulink Carnot. The energy building model uses a heat pump to charge thermal storage, and a PV system is considered with a typical ON/OFF strategy. This work shows how the RL toolbox has the potential to interact with this energy-building model to optimize the heat pump with a PV system. All suggested agents by the MATLAB RL toolbox are investigated with this building energy model (BEM), and annual simulation is performed with a well-trained agent, which converges during training. Two different models have been developed for heat pump control. The first model is called the RL-based Heat Pump Controller, which is designed to meet thermal targets only. The second model is called the PV- optimized RL-based Heat Pump Controller, which not only meets thermal targets but also considers the operation of the PV system with the heat pump. The simulation results show that using the RL toolbox, the RL-based Heat Pump Controller model has performed excellently. In the PV-optimized RL-based Heat Pump Controller model, there is almost a 4.37\% increase in PV self-consumption compared to the typical control strategy, resulting in annual electricity savings of almost 3.52 MWh. Some challenges of using the RL toolbox are also highlighted with future recommendations, which mainly include computational efforts.}, language = {en} } @thesis{Mingaleva2023, author = {Mingaleva, Ekaterina}, title = {Micro-scale solar assisted district heating system for rural Kyrgyzstan}, subtitle = {a feasibility study for a high-altitude settlement}, publisher = {Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt}, address = {Ingolstadt}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:573-45434}, pages = {IX, 66}, year = {2023}, abstract = {The present study investigates the viability of implementing a micro-scale district heating system (DHS) powered by solar energy in the elevated rural regions of Kyrgyzstan. The performance assessment of such a system is achieved through modeling and simulation in Polysun software along with a conducted parametric study to find out the optimal volume of the storage tank to the area of the collectors based on the solar fraction. A parametric study resulted in the possible system configuration with a solar fraction of 19.4\%, achieved with 2,000 collectors (4,060 m2) and a 400 m3 storage tank. The follow-up economic evaluation considers total lifecycle costs, comparing the solar-assisted DHS with an electric and a coal boiler as the auxiliary heater, and an individual stove-based system. The DHS with a coal-fired boiler resulted in a slightly lower levelized cost of heat (LCOH) at 10.03 €-ct/kWh compared to the electric boiler at 11.77 €-ct/kWh, while an individual home coal-fired system is 1.13 €-ct/kWh. However, LCOH-based energy affordability analysis revealed that the proposed DHS would burden typical households, where the man works and the woman manages the household, exceeding income by 74\% (with electric boiler) and 48\% (with coal-fired boiler). Therefore, the study underscores the need for careful economic consideration in solar thermal projects, especially in low-income areas. To facilitate successful implementation in such regions, securing subsidies or financial support during the project's implementation stage is essential to maintain the affordability of these systems for the local population.}, language = {en} } @thesis{Abdalsalam2022, author = {Abdalsalam, Mohannad Mohamad Alsayed}, title = {Convective losses inside a cavity of a novel insulating glass flat-plate solar thermal collector}, publisher = {Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt}, address = {Ingolstadt}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:573-35881}, pages = {IX, 87}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Large-scale solar thermal district heating plants are considered to serve as a renewable alternative in European District Heating systems but their execution imposes widely-considered demand fluctuations and initial cost challenges. Consequently, A novel Insulated glass flat plate solar thermal collector (IGFPC) of low manufacturing cost is introduced to the industry, nevertheless, more research is needed on the collector's convective heat losses and efficiency. This research focuses on the numerical study of the convective heat losses inside the cavity of the novel IGFPC. The review of other literature concludes the inability to describe the convective losses inside the cavity using other researchers' correlations due to its large aspect ratio and high operating Rayleigh range so a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation using the Finite Elements Method (FEM) is performed. The research investigates the optimum simulation settings and the optimum mesh size to solve the CFD simulation, in addition to, the governing correlations representing the heat transfer regime inside the cavity. The cavity inclination is studied at angles 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 degrees heated from below, and Rayleigh numbers ranging from 10^3 to 10^6. It is concluded that the Reynolds stress model (RSM) is the most accurate turbulent model to represent turbulent flow inside the cavity and its results are comparable to other results from the literature. In comparison with the literature review, the simulation results show low convective heat losses at Ra < Ra critical and high convective heat losses at Ra > Ra critical. It is also noted that at a lower Rayleigh number, the cavity experience edge rolls at lower inclination angles and cell rolls at higher inclination angles. Finally, a correlation in the Nusselt Rayleigh domain is derived to be used for numerically calculating overall losses and efficiency for cavities with a high aspect ratio. Keywords: solar district heating, convective heat losses, solar thermal collector, insulated glass flat-plate collector, natural convection, computational fluid dynamics, Nusselt / Rayleigh correlations, Rayleigh number, rectangular cavity, cavity inclination angle}, language = {en} } @thesis{Osunde2022, author = {Osunde, Alex Osakpolor}, title = {Medium and low voltage distribution grid network composition analysis and review for the North American and European networks}, publisher = {Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt}, address = {Ingolstadt}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:573-35294}, pages = {VIII, 67}, year = {2022}, abstract = {The Distribution Network (DN) in Europe and North America today is witnessing a paradigm shift in operation from a conventional passive system where a top to bottom active and reactive power flow is maintained with a low level of monitoring to an active system where the power flow has become bi-directional with the influx of Distributed Generators (rooftop solar photovoltaic units, wind generating units, etc) in the low voltage (LV) and medium voltage (MV) networks. This implementation of DGs poses power quality problems as it causes stress on the existing voltage regulating strategy in the DN. To tackle this issue, utilities in both regions are integrating smart devices for controlling and monitoring the DN to guarantee power quality for their customers. The initial part of this paper focuses on individually and collectively studying the factors that determine how a network responds to voltage control. After which the impact and response of various load types and composition to voltage control were analysed. The difference between the MV and LV grid topology of the two regions was also highlighted. The second part of the project concentrates on the conventional and improved control devices implemented by utilities for achieving voltage stability. A case study of a representative network from both regions highlighting the advantages and challenges faced by adopting automated voltage regulation (AVR) was also carried out in this paper. In addition, the historical failure of the grids of both regions was examined to identify how the grid will react when a voltage control tool fails intending to suggest possible solutions.}, language = {en} } @thesis{Babariya2022, author = {Babariya, Ronak Sanjaybhai}, title = {Thermal simulation of battery energy storage system for energy market applications}, publisher = {Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt}, address = {Ingolstadt}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:573-35221}, pages = {ix, 65}, year = {2022}, abstract = {The battery energy storage system is one of the systems that can support the use of renewable energy. The battery system is used to store electric energy, and it provides flexibility when energy is required at a certain time. It is essential to adjust the temperature of the battery cells in order to maintain better performance, a long lifespan, and great safety in the battery system. As a result, it is necessary to have a proper and better designed thermal management system that can keep the battery cells within the required temperature range when the battery systems are in operation. Heat transfer is a considerable phenomenon that is connected with the battery energy storage system. In general, temperature is the most important variable in heat transfer, which occurs when heat moves from a higher temperature zone to a lower temperature region. Heat transfer within the medium can be described by conduction, convection, and radiation. This thesis describes a study that was undertaken to tackle heat convection based thermal problems inside the battery module and the battery system rack. The battery module and the battery system rack are employed in energy market operations and renewable energy storage. Thermal heat convection based on heat transfer and fluid (air) flow inside the battery module and the battery system rack is designed in SolidWorks software and then simulated with FloEFD software for CFD simulations. SolidWorks and FloEFD software are described in detail, including heat transfer and fluid flow, internal and external air-forced boundaries, and physics connections. In addition, the process flow of 3D model design using SolidWorks software and the simulation process using FloEFD software explains the different possible initial conditions, boundary conditions, and necessary inputs. This thesis report also describes in detail the available strategies and approaches to addressing this thermal problem using FloEFD software. The simulation results are presented at the end of the thesis report in the form of a simulation and analysed solution for the battery system cooling.}, language = {en} } @thesis{Jadhav2024, author = {Jadhav, Shubham Sanjiv}, title = {Comparative life cycle assessment of 5th and 4th generation district heating systems with different heat sources in Germany}, publisher = {Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt}, address = {Ingolstadt}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:573-49044}, pages = {xi, 68}, year = {2024}, abstract = {This master thesis compares the environmental impacts of 4th-generation district heating (4GDH) and 5th-generation district heating and cooling (5GDHC) systems using different heat sources in Germany. The primary objective is to evaluate and compare the environmental performance of a geothermal-based 5GDHC system with a gas-combined heat and power (CHP) based 4GDH system. The study follows DIN ISO 14040/14044 standards and employs the SimaPro software with the ecoinvent 3.10 database to perform the LCA. The analysis considers two scenarios: one using the German electricity grid and the other using photovoltaic (PV) panels as the electricity source. Key impact categories assessed include climate change, acidification, freshwater and marine eutrophication, human toxicity and resource depletion. Results indicate that the 5GDHC system, despite its advanced technology, has higher overall environmental impacts compared to the 4GDH system in most categories, primarily due to the intensive resource use and higher greenhouse gas emissions during the drilling process and operational phases. However, 5GDHC shows lower impacts on human toxicity (cancer-related) and land use efficiency, highlighting areas where it performs better than 4GDH. This comparative study underscores the need for further optimization and integration of renewable energy sources in 5GDHC systems to enhance their sustainability and reduce their environmental impacts. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders in the energy sector aiming to achieve carbon neutrality and improve the environmental performance of district heating systems. Keywords: Comparative life cycle assessment (LCA); Life cycle inventory (LCI); District heating system (DHS); 5th generation district heating and cooling system (5GDHC); 4th generation district heating system (4GDH); Geothermal energy; Combined heat and power (CHP); SimaPro; Ecoinvent}, language = {en} }