In the past 3.5 years, the carpeDIEM project has focused on rising the public’s awareness of available technologies and efficiency of energy management systems, that control energy flow in buildings and building clusters. The aim of such systems is to increase the utilization of locally available energy resources. Solar panels on roof tops for example should feed local load demands and contribute to reduce grid peak loads. The use of these intelligent energy management technologies will increase the use of local available energy resources and decrease the dependence on remote fossil based energy supply.
In the project, emphasis was given to the very specific energy consumption patterns and supply structures, which are typical for the region including companies and many tourist and agricultural areas.
In carpeDIEM we developed and showcased a technology that is capable of reducing grid load at peak times and freeing grid line capacities. We collected data in several places, optimized the system and simulated the effect of autarky for the local environment as well as for the greater perspective from the German energy providers and its neighboring countries. The result was evaluated with respect to the economic benefit and the CO2 balance. The technology can be viewed at two demonstration sites at the GreenTEC Campus in Enge-Sande (Germany) and at the Alsion building in Sønderborg (Denmark). Both demonstration sites have intelligent energy management units in charge stations that can be integrated in any charge station.
Measurements in Bordelum and on Ærø demonstrated that autarky has to be evaluated in a differentiated way. To reach autarky from an external energy provider it is necessary to establish storages. Our simulations show that they have the greatest effect with respect to economy and CO2 balance when used centrally. Electrical storage units in the current supply structure of Germany and its electrical neighbors should be made centrally available.
Further the carpeDIEM project aimed to strengthen and pool the complementary cross-border competences in the field of intelligent energy management. With two demonstration sites and a strong network of active collaborations this has been achieved and the technology will be used in the future.