Article,
A complex mixed-methods data-driven energy-centric evaluation of net-positive households
Affiliations
- [1] University of Strathclyde [NORA names: United Kingdom; Europe, Non-EU; OECD];
- [2] Aalborg University [NORA names: AAU Aalborg University; University; Denmark; Europe, EU; Nordic; OECD]
Abstract
Following the Paris agreement, different policy incentives aiming at the reduction of carbon emissions have been introduced worldwide. Dwellings that benefit from increased renewables penetration, aiming at achieving net-zero and even net-positive energy balance, are being designed and deployed in different countries. This article presents a design mixed-methods approach, based on collected quantitative and qualitative data, to answer the “what”, “why” and “how” of energy prosumption in net-positive dwellings. We demonstrate the strong influence of domestic routines and dynamic energy import and export pricing on explaining energy-centric deviation from net-positive design ambitions. Findings from net-positive neighbourhood households, equipped with geothermal heating, solar generation and electric vehicles, in Norway further provide actionable insights on demand-side reduction and flexibility in energy consumption and how to achieve true energy net-positive balance. Specifically, our analysis demonstrates a significant gap between actual energy bills and user expectations, and potential energy cost reduction up to 10% on a per-activity basis through demand side flexibility in relation to dynamic tariffs as well as a maximum observed bill reduction of up to 50% compared to the baseline scenario for households not adapting their activities inline with dynamic tariffs.