A Thermal grid coordinated by a multi agent energy management system

In the near future an increase of both thermal grids and sustainable suppliers of heat with intermittency behavior, connected to these heat grids, is expected. For smart operation this challenges the current centralized management systems. To deal with this and to optimize cost and energy efficiency a multi-agent approach is proposed, which to a certain extent is similar to agent systems developed for and tested in electricity grids. This study describes the physical and technical properties of a P2P solution which is based on experiences in both electricity grids and climate systems for buildings. Some vital issues of this approach are discussed and technical directions chosen are substantiated. The P2P system called HeatMatcher is tested in simulations with the heat network designed and run in a Matlab/Simulink environment. Results of a field test in a small thermal grid in an apartment complex in the Netherlands are presented.