Public defence, Engineering Physics, MSc Topi Rasku

Title of the thesis: Integrating residential heating and cooling flexibility into operational energy system optimization

Thesis defender: Topi Rasku 
Opponent: Professor Filip Johnsson, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden
Custos: Professor Emeritus Peter Lund, Aalto University School of Science

Heating and cooling of buildings could help balance the variable renewable energy required by decarbonization. This thesis developed methods to depict Finnish residential heating and cooling flexibility potential and its impacts on the Nordic energy system. These methods are also applicable outside Finland, helping clarify the role of demand side management in future energy systems.

Widespread flexible heating and cooling of buildings yielded noticeable cost savings for the energy system, but the benefits per participant remained meagre. Furthermore, coordination among the buildings was necessary to avoid adverse effects during challenging periods. Building-level demand flexibility thus still seems impractical compared to energy storage assets. Nevertheless, the potential is there, which could be unlocked as the technology matures.

Keywords: energy system optimization, unit commitment, economic dispatch, energy flexibility, demand response, space heating, water heating, space cooling 

Thesis available for public display 7 days prior to the defence at Aalto University's public display page. 

Contact information: 
https://cris.vtt.fi/en/persons/topi-rasku/