Heat Pump Demand Response to Minimize Network Voltage Impacts of Domestic Water Heating

This study proposes and demonstrates a methodology for demand response technology in residential heat pumps that intends to minimize voltage violations on a low-voltage distribution network while electrifying domestic water heating. The network voltage performance is first analyzed using a baseline scenario of gas water heating, followed by a simple timer control of heat pumps, restricted to operate during lower grid demand periods. The simple timer control is then replaced with intelligent rule-based controls that consider both network voltage in real time and heating urgency rules, prioritizing heat pump operation and urgency to heat water when voltages are high. The analysis is undertaken utilizing a thermal-electric co-simulation platform that links thermodynamic heat pump models using TRNSYS software, and distribution network modelling using DIgSILENT PowerFactory. Results show that simple timer-based heat pump operation doubled the voltage violations from 3.8% to 8.3 %, while the intelligent controls minimized voltage violations to under 2 % increase, while guaranteeing thermal amenity.