Jean-nicolas Louis | University of Oulu (original) (raw)
Papers by Jean-nicolas Louis
2015 12th International Conference on the European Energy Market (EEM), 2015
Smart grids are meant to reach multiple goals such as leveling the electricity demand profile, re... more Smart grids are meant to reach multiple goals such as leveling the electricity demand profile, reducing electricity consumption and increasing the energy efficiency of the electrical grid. Smart buildings play an important role in achieving these goals. With an increased number of measuring and controlling tools, new problems also arise, such as their economic and environmental impacts, juxtaposed to the levels of savings achieved by them. This research investigated the impact of home automation on electricity consumption, related CO 2 emissions and costs. A smart building model with its appliances and different number of inhabitants was used along with eight electricity contracts and four different technology systems deployed. The results showed that a fully deployed automation system may be counterproductive, as the electricity need of the system may exceed the savings achieved by it. Therefore, a careful selection of the appliances to be used should be performed.
The Energy Roadmap for 2050 (COM(2011) 885/2) lays down ambitious plans for the decarbonisa-tion ... more The Energy Roadmap for 2050 (COM(2011) 885/2) lays down ambitious plans for the decarbonisa-tion of Europe. By 2050, 80-95% cutting of greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels is envisioned. In 2009, electricity and heat production accounted for 36.5% of total CO 2 emissions in the Euro-pean Union (EU) (IEA 2011). Given this current dominant share of CO 2 emissions in Europe, the transition towards a low-carbon economy implies an almost complete decarbonization of Europe's power sector (Jägerman et al 2013). There are a variety of roadmaps on how to achieve this, includ-ing consumption-oriented approaches such as energy efficiency and behavioural changes, as well as production oriented, as in low-carbon renewable energy generation. As periodically fluctuating consumption (Louis et al. 2013a) meets weather-dependent renewable energy production, balancing demand and supply is an increasingly complex challenge (Römer et al 2012). A common approach to tackle these challenges is sm...
The evolution of electricity grids into a smart grid requires the inclusion of control systems to... more The evolution of electricity grids into a smart grid requires the inclusion of control systems to control load, flatten peaks and ensure the distribution of electricity. In parallel, the building sector will also be incorporating more control technology and put emphasis on sustainability issues such as reducing CO2 emissions associated with the buildings’ electricity consumption. This article aims at modelling the residential sector and assesses the different levels of technology deployment to control the electricity consumption of household appliances. The number of inhabitants and their habits are also considered, and the response levels of users towards control systems are simulated. For this matter, a Markov-chain algorithm was developed for synthesising the electric load and introducing Home Energy Management System (HEMS). The emission levels from electricity consumption were assessed based on hourly CO2 emission data from electricity production in Finland. Numerous electricity pricing models were also included, to assess the economic impacts of HEMS. The article suggests that a fully deployed HEMS may not be profitable for households with a low number of inhabitants. This is because the power consumption of appliances in stand-by mode offsets the positive impacts of HEMS on the electricity consumption profile.
There is currently no generally accepted definition of Smart Grids, especially on what is expecte... more There is currently no generally accepted definition of Smart Grids, especially on what is expected to make them smart and how. On the other hand, the general assumption about Smart Grids implies the development of power networks toward more efficient, greener and sustainable systems. In this article, we present the intrinsic limitations of this view, showing how any aim for a future sustainable energy system will require analyses considering the multidimensional structure of the problem, including the integrated dynamics of different energy sources and carriers. The aim of this paper is to present the case for the development and conceptualization of a smarter and more comprehensive system known as Smart Energy Networks. We also put forward a set of indicators that we believe could aid in assessing the sustainability of smart grids and follow progress toward the development of a more sustainable energy regime.
2nd SkyPro Conference Proceeding, Nov 12, 2013
Large scale electrification of the transportation sector is generally considered as a promising s... more Large scale electrification of the transportation sector is generally considered as a promising strategy for improving efficiency and reducing greenhouse gases emissions. Within a broader decarbonization strategy , Förester H. et al. 2011, the development of the electric vehicles (EVs) sector, including its integration within a smarter energy network, it is considered one of the cornerstones of the future energy and transportation development strategy.
This paper discusses the life-cycle environmental impact of Home Energy Management System (HEMS),... more This paper discusses the life-cycle environmental impact of Home Energy Management System (HEMS), in terms of their potential benefits and detrimental impacts. It is the expectation that adapting smart home automation (SHA) would lead to reduced electricity usage in the household and overall environmental advantages. The purpose of this research was to quantify the negative environmental impacts of SHA and balance them with their benefits. The evaluation of SHA has been done by conducting a generic Life cycle assessment study using SimaPro programme and the EcoInvent database. The LCA study concluded that the largest environmental impact of HEMS is the use-phase electricity consumption of home automation devices. The paper concludes that the energy payback time of home automation in term of the electricity consumption of the devices is negative by 1.6 years. The largest part of this is due to the energy consumption of smart plugs. Therefore, the paper concludes that in terms of home automation, we need to find the balance between what we actually need to control and the resulting energy consumption of the control system.
To achieve the decarbonisation of the energy sector in Europe, the CO2 emission profile of energy... more To achieve the decarbonisation of the energy sector in Europe, the CO2 emission profile of energy consumption must be fully understood. A new methodology for accounting for CO2 emissions is required for representing the dynamics of emissions. In this article, a dynamic integration of CO2 emissions due to the electricity production and trade was developed. Electricity consumption and related CO2 emissions are studied for a typical Finnish household. A model detached house is used to simulate the effect of home automation on CO2 emissions. Hourly electricity production data are used with an hourly electricity consumption profile generated using fuzzy logic. CO2 emissions were obtained from recorded data as well as estimated based on monthly, weekly, and daily generated electricity data. The CO2 emissions due to the use of electric appliances are around 543 kgCO2/y per house when considering only the generated electricity, and 335 kgCO2/y when balancing the emissions with exported and imported electricity. The results of the simulation indicate that home automation can reduce CO2 emissions by 13%. Part of emission reduction was achieved through peak shifting, by moving energy consumption load from daytime to night time. The paper highlights the role of home automation in reducing CO2 emissions of the residential sector in the context of smart grid development.
This paper presents a model of a detached house in which home automation has been progressively i... more This paper presents a model of a detached house in which home automation has been progressively introduced into the building. The model integrates different factors related to end-user behaviour and decision-making regarding the management of electrical energy consumption, and integrates a gradual end-user response to home automation measures. The presented model aims to show the potential economic benefits obtained by the modelled changes of end-users’ behaviours within a smart energy network based energy system. Matlab/Simulink is used as a simulation tool for representing the model in which a 10 year database of Nordic climatic data has been built in, on an hourly and half hourly basis. The modelled building environment comprises twenty-one appliances and two lighting systems with different power rates. Each appliance and light bulb is individually measured. The feedback methods assessed were self-comparison, inter-comparison, and a target based system. The effect of home automation on energy consumption at the building level is assessed, and the importance of end-users in energy reduction is highlighted. The model categorises “green” and “brown” energy users and integrates their behavioural profiles within the end-user response. As part of a smarter electricity management system, the home automation system is able to interact with other buildings, either in terms of geographic or building infrastructure similarities. This will enable taking or modifying decisions at any given time, thus contributing to the local flattening of power demand. Such systems must work hand-in-hand with the grid operator.
This report constitutes the first work package of the Project KA 385 for increasing the energy ef... more This report constitutes the first work package of the Project KA 385 for increasing the energy efficiency in small and medium-sized enterprises. As the aim of this project is to increase and implement energy efficiency in SMEs, the boundaries as well as a common background for the overall project is necessary. In this first work package, the work consisted at setting up the boundaries for implementing energy efficiency in small and medium-sized enterprises in the region of Karelia, located in North-West Russia, and the Northern Ostrobothnia region in Finland. This report investigated the present day situation of the relationship between the SMEs and energy efficiency. It showed that both regions are relatively similar in terms of SMEs with a similar amount of SMEs. Karelia presents a majority of single entrepreneurs representing more than half of the overall SMEs in the region. The standardisation and legislation framing the energy efficiency action in both regions revealed a heavy process in both cases. The Finnish framework for implementing energy efficiency in SMEs and farms beneficiate of an experience over 15 years of energy audit and energy efficiency agreement experience, which made it efficient over time but may be improved for the audit process. The Russian energy efficiency action plan is rather new and accounts multiple steps and administration bureau that make it challenging for a SME to get involved. Secondly, in Russia the tendering process for being granted the subsidies may turn SMEs to be more reluctant for getting involved in such process. Energy management is described in the international standard while the energy audit processes are described in the European/National standards. A comparative analysis guideline is given in the end where the choice of the unit for an inter- country comparison is to be carefully chosen especially when economic factors are used. Disseminating the knowledge and sharing best practices comes by showing the number of audits carried out in Northern Ostrobothnia and the most common energy efficient measures implemented with their respective payback period. A payback period of 2 to 5 years is a common figure that occurred.
This paper aims to provide an outline of the pellet industry with its best practices, and a brief... more This paper aims to provide an outline of the pellet industry with its best practices, and a brief market overview supported by case studies. It is not intended to be a technical reference paper, rather to provide the parties involved in the project with the basic knowledge about the pellet industry.
Energy consumption in Finland doubled since the 1970’s and, at the same time, peak power levels h... more Energy consumption in Finland doubled since the 1970’s and, at the same time, peak power levels have increased by 330 %. The objective of this work was to demonstrate that the development of smart buildings integrated in a smart grid would reduce total energy consumption in the residential sector, and also cut peak consumption levels.
The theory part underlines that legislation should promote small scale renewable energy production systems. Standardizing smart buildings will enhance and accelerate the deployment of such technology. The role of end-users to realize the energy efficiency potential is highlighted and different feedback strategies are presented. In order to facilitate data exchange between the home and the grid, communication technologies must be developed. To this end, data safety and data privacy are of major concern as well as the ownership and access to data.
In the experimental part, a detached house was modelled using MatLab/Simulink, in order to simulate the energy flux. The house is modelled to be located in Oulu, and climate data (temperature, wind speed, wind frequency, solar radiation data) are available on an hourly basis for the last 10 years. The house model details the lighting system and includes twenty-one appliances with different power rates. The variables used where also the number of inhabitants and bedrooms, and potential small-scale energy production systems (wind turbine, photovoltaic panels and fuel cell). Three levels of user responses were evaluated from ‘green’ to ‘brown’ users. The feedback methods assessed were self-comparison, inter-comparison, and a target based system. Automatic control for some appliances was also integrated, in order to optimize the system.
The results indicate a potential of 30 % reduction of energy consumption, using energy efficient appliances (A/B label) over regular appliances (C/D label). Applying a smart meter resulted in 2-8 % reduction, depending on the user response. Delaying the use of appliances from the day to the night resulted in the flattened of the mean daily energy consumption profile. Cutting the peaks reduced energy consumption by 18 % during the day and increased it by 47 % during the night in average. It was concluded that an hourly pricing system calls for the development of an iterative model and would also require interaction between the house and the grid. It is expected that the deployment of smart buildings will be an essential part of a smart grid system, and a key element of improving energy efficiency in the residential sector.
This research was funded by the Pohjoista Voimaa Ympäristötili foundation.
Understanding the energy consumption of households is a cornerstone for improving residential ene... more Understanding the energy consumption of households is a cornerstone for improving residential energy efficiency. In addition, the CO 2 emission profile of energy consumption must be fully understood, to achieve the decarbonisation of energy sector in Europe. Smart houses incorporated into smart grids allow the survey and control of household energy consumption. In this article, the electricity consumption and its related CO 2 emissions are studied for a typical Finnish household. A model detached house is used to simulate the effect of home automation, designed to optimize energy usage, on the CO 2 emissions of this household. Hourly electricity production data are used with an hourly electricity consumption profile generated using fuzzy logic. CO 2 emissions were obtained from the monthly and weekly electricity generated data. The CO 2 emissions related to the use of electric appliances represent around 543 kg CO2 /y per dwelling when considering the electricity generated only, and 335 kg CO2 /y when balancing the emissions with the exported and imported electricity. Home automation reduced the CO 2 emissions by 13 %. Part of emission reduction was achieved through peak shifting, by moving energy consumption load from daytime to night time. This paper aims at highlighting the role of home automation in reducing CO 2 emissions of the residential sector in the context of smart grid development.
2015 12th International Conference on the European Energy Market (EEM), 2015
Smart grids are meant to reach multiple goals such as leveling the electricity demand profile, re... more Smart grids are meant to reach multiple goals such as leveling the electricity demand profile, reducing electricity consumption and increasing the energy efficiency of the electrical grid. Smart buildings play an important role in achieving these goals. With an increased number of measuring and controlling tools, new problems also arise, such as their economic and environmental impacts, juxtaposed to the levels of savings achieved by them. This research investigated the impact of home automation on electricity consumption, related CO 2 emissions and costs. A smart building model with its appliances and different number of inhabitants was used along with eight electricity contracts and four different technology systems deployed. The results showed that a fully deployed automation system may be counterproductive, as the electricity need of the system may exceed the savings achieved by it. Therefore, a careful selection of the appliances to be used should be performed.
The Energy Roadmap for 2050 (COM(2011) 885/2) lays down ambitious plans for the decarbonisa-tion ... more The Energy Roadmap for 2050 (COM(2011) 885/2) lays down ambitious plans for the decarbonisa-tion of Europe. By 2050, 80-95% cutting of greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels is envisioned. In 2009, electricity and heat production accounted for 36.5% of total CO 2 emissions in the Euro-pean Union (EU) (IEA 2011). Given this current dominant share of CO 2 emissions in Europe, the transition towards a low-carbon economy implies an almost complete decarbonization of Europe's power sector (Jägerman et al 2013). There are a variety of roadmaps on how to achieve this, includ-ing consumption-oriented approaches such as energy efficiency and behavioural changes, as well as production oriented, as in low-carbon renewable energy generation. As periodically fluctuating consumption (Louis et al. 2013a) meets weather-dependent renewable energy production, balancing demand and supply is an increasingly complex challenge (Römer et al 2012). A common approach to tackle these challenges is sm...
The evolution of electricity grids into a smart grid requires the inclusion of control systems to... more The evolution of electricity grids into a smart grid requires the inclusion of control systems to control load, flatten peaks and ensure the distribution of electricity. In parallel, the building sector will also be incorporating more control technology and put emphasis on sustainability issues such as reducing CO2 emissions associated with the buildings’ electricity consumption. This article aims at modelling the residential sector and assesses the different levels of technology deployment to control the electricity consumption of household appliances. The number of inhabitants and their habits are also considered, and the response levels of users towards control systems are simulated. For this matter, a Markov-chain algorithm was developed for synthesising the electric load and introducing Home Energy Management System (HEMS). The emission levels from electricity consumption were assessed based on hourly CO2 emission data from electricity production in Finland. Numerous electricity pricing models were also included, to assess the economic impacts of HEMS. The article suggests that a fully deployed HEMS may not be profitable for households with a low number of inhabitants. This is because the power consumption of appliances in stand-by mode offsets the positive impacts of HEMS on the electricity consumption profile.
There is currently no generally accepted definition of Smart Grids, especially on what is expecte... more There is currently no generally accepted definition of Smart Grids, especially on what is expected to make them smart and how. On the other hand, the general assumption about Smart Grids implies the development of power networks toward more efficient, greener and sustainable systems. In this article, we present the intrinsic limitations of this view, showing how any aim for a future sustainable energy system will require analyses considering the multidimensional structure of the problem, including the integrated dynamics of different energy sources and carriers. The aim of this paper is to present the case for the development and conceptualization of a smarter and more comprehensive system known as Smart Energy Networks. We also put forward a set of indicators that we believe could aid in assessing the sustainability of smart grids and follow progress toward the development of a more sustainable energy regime.
2nd SkyPro Conference Proceeding, Nov 12, 2013
Large scale electrification of the transportation sector is generally considered as a promising s... more Large scale electrification of the transportation sector is generally considered as a promising strategy for improving efficiency and reducing greenhouse gases emissions. Within a broader decarbonization strategy , Förester H. et al. 2011, the development of the electric vehicles (EVs) sector, including its integration within a smarter energy network, it is considered one of the cornerstones of the future energy and transportation development strategy.
This paper discusses the life-cycle environmental impact of Home Energy Management System (HEMS),... more This paper discusses the life-cycle environmental impact of Home Energy Management System (HEMS), in terms of their potential benefits and detrimental impacts. It is the expectation that adapting smart home automation (SHA) would lead to reduced electricity usage in the household and overall environmental advantages. The purpose of this research was to quantify the negative environmental impacts of SHA and balance them with their benefits. The evaluation of SHA has been done by conducting a generic Life cycle assessment study using SimaPro programme and the EcoInvent database. The LCA study concluded that the largest environmental impact of HEMS is the use-phase electricity consumption of home automation devices. The paper concludes that the energy payback time of home automation in term of the electricity consumption of the devices is negative by 1.6 years. The largest part of this is due to the energy consumption of smart plugs. Therefore, the paper concludes that in terms of home automation, we need to find the balance between what we actually need to control and the resulting energy consumption of the control system.
To achieve the decarbonisation of the energy sector in Europe, the CO2 emission profile of energy... more To achieve the decarbonisation of the energy sector in Europe, the CO2 emission profile of energy consumption must be fully understood. A new methodology for accounting for CO2 emissions is required for representing the dynamics of emissions. In this article, a dynamic integration of CO2 emissions due to the electricity production and trade was developed. Electricity consumption and related CO2 emissions are studied for a typical Finnish household. A model detached house is used to simulate the effect of home automation on CO2 emissions. Hourly electricity production data are used with an hourly electricity consumption profile generated using fuzzy logic. CO2 emissions were obtained from recorded data as well as estimated based on monthly, weekly, and daily generated electricity data. The CO2 emissions due to the use of electric appliances are around 543 kgCO2/y per house when considering only the generated electricity, and 335 kgCO2/y when balancing the emissions with exported and imported electricity. The results of the simulation indicate that home automation can reduce CO2 emissions by 13%. Part of emission reduction was achieved through peak shifting, by moving energy consumption load from daytime to night time. The paper highlights the role of home automation in reducing CO2 emissions of the residential sector in the context of smart grid development.
This paper presents a model of a detached house in which home automation has been progressively i... more This paper presents a model of a detached house in which home automation has been progressively introduced into the building. The model integrates different factors related to end-user behaviour and decision-making regarding the management of electrical energy consumption, and integrates a gradual end-user response to home automation measures. The presented model aims to show the potential economic benefits obtained by the modelled changes of end-users’ behaviours within a smart energy network based energy system. Matlab/Simulink is used as a simulation tool for representing the model in which a 10 year database of Nordic climatic data has been built in, on an hourly and half hourly basis. The modelled building environment comprises twenty-one appliances and two lighting systems with different power rates. Each appliance and light bulb is individually measured. The feedback methods assessed were self-comparison, inter-comparison, and a target based system. The effect of home automation on energy consumption at the building level is assessed, and the importance of end-users in energy reduction is highlighted. The model categorises “green” and “brown” energy users and integrates their behavioural profiles within the end-user response. As part of a smarter electricity management system, the home automation system is able to interact with other buildings, either in terms of geographic or building infrastructure similarities. This will enable taking or modifying decisions at any given time, thus contributing to the local flattening of power demand. Such systems must work hand-in-hand with the grid operator.
This report constitutes the first work package of the Project KA 385 for increasing the energy ef... more This report constitutes the first work package of the Project KA 385 for increasing the energy efficiency in small and medium-sized enterprises. As the aim of this project is to increase and implement energy efficiency in SMEs, the boundaries as well as a common background for the overall project is necessary. In this first work package, the work consisted at setting up the boundaries for implementing energy efficiency in small and medium-sized enterprises in the region of Karelia, located in North-West Russia, and the Northern Ostrobothnia region in Finland. This report investigated the present day situation of the relationship between the SMEs and energy efficiency. It showed that both regions are relatively similar in terms of SMEs with a similar amount of SMEs. Karelia presents a majority of single entrepreneurs representing more than half of the overall SMEs in the region. The standardisation and legislation framing the energy efficiency action in both regions revealed a heavy process in both cases. The Finnish framework for implementing energy efficiency in SMEs and farms beneficiate of an experience over 15 years of energy audit and energy efficiency agreement experience, which made it efficient over time but may be improved for the audit process. The Russian energy efficiency action plan is rather new and accounts multiple steps and administration bureau that make it challenging for a SME to get involved. Secondly, in Russia the tendering process for being granted the subsidies may turn SMEs to be more reluctant for getting involved in such process. Energy management is described in the international standard while the energy audit processes are described in the European/National standards. A comparative analysis guideline is given in the end where the choice of the unit for an inter- country comparison is to be carefully chosen especially when economic factors are used. Disseminating the knowledge and sharing best practices comes by showing the number of audits carried out in Northern Ostrobothnia and the most common energy efficient measures implemented with their respective payback period. A payback period of 2 to 5 years is a common figure that occurred.
This paper aims to provide an outline of the pellet industry with its best practices, and a brief... more This paper aims to provide an outline of the pellet industry with its best practices, and a brief market overview supported by case studies. It is not intended to be a technical reference paper, rather to provide the parties involved in the project with the basic knowledge about the pellet industry.
Energy consumption in Finland doubled since the 1970’s and, at the same time, peak power levels h... more Energy consumption in Finland doubled since the 1970’s and, at the same time, peak power levels have increased by 330 %. The objective of this work was to demonstrate that the development of smart buildings integrated in a smart grid would reduce total energy consumption in the residential sector, and also cut peak consumption levels.
The theory part underlines that legislation should promote small scale renewable energy production systems. Standardizing smart buildings will enhance and accelerate the deployment of such technology. The role of end-users to realize the energy efficiency potential is highlighted and different feedback strategies are presented. In order to facilitate data exchange between the home and the grid, communication technologies must be developed. To this end, data safety and data privacy are of major concern as well as the ownership and access to data.
In the experimental part, a detached house was modelled using MatLab/Simulink, in order to simulate the energy flux. The house is modelled to be located in Oulu, and climate data (temperature, wind speed, wind frequency, solar radiation data) are available on an hourly basis for the last 10 years. The house model details the lighting system and includes twenty-one appliances with different power rates. The variables used where also the number of inhabitants and bedrooms, and potential small-scale energy production systems (wind turbine, photovoltaic panels and fuel cell). Three levels of user responses were evaluated from ‘green’ to ‘brown’ users. The feedback methods assessed were self-comparison, inter-comparison, and a target based system. Automatic control for some appliances was also integrated, in order to optimize the system.
The results indicate a potential of 30 % reduction of energy consumption, using energy efficient appliances (A/B label) over regular appliances (C/D label). Applying a smart meter resulted in 2-8 % reduction, depending on the user response. Delaying the use of appliances from the day to the night resulted in the flattened of the mean daily energy consumption profile. Cutting the peaks reduced energy consumption by 18 % during the day and increased it by 47 % during the night in average. It was concluded that an hourly pricing system calls for the development of an iterative model and would also require interaction between the house and the grid. It is expected that the deployment of smart buildings will be an essential part of a smart grid system, and a key element of improving energy efficiency in the residential sector.
This research was funded by the Pohjoista Voimaa Ympäristötili foundation.
Understanding the energy consumption of households is a cornerstone for improving residential ene... more Understanding the energy consumption of households is a cornerstone for improving residential energy efficiency. In addition, the CO 2 emission profile of energy consumption must be fully understood, to achieve the decarbonisation of energy sector in Europe. Smart houses incorporated into smart grids allow the survey and control of household energy consumption. In this article, the electricity consumption and its related CO 2 emissions are studied for a typical Finnish household. A model detached house is used to simulate the effect of home automation, designed to optimize energy usage, on the CO 2 emissions of this household. Hourly electricity production data are used with an hourly electricity consumption profile generated using fuzzy logic. CO 2 emissions were obtained from the monthly and weekly electricity generated data. The CO 2 emissions related to the use of electric appliances represent around 543 kg CO2 /y per dwelling when considering the electricity generated only, and 335 kg CO2 /y when balancing the emissions with the exported and imported electricity. Home automation reduced the CO 2 emissions by 13 %. Part of emission reduction was achieved through peak shifting, by moving energy consumption load from daytime to night time. This paper aims at highlighting the role of home automation in reducing CO 2 emissions of the residential sector in the context of smart grid development.