Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SEEDS (Cost-effective and replicable RES-integrated electrified heating and cooling systems for improved energy efficiency and demand response)
Berichtszeitraum: 2024-01-01 bis 2025-06-30
The overall aim of SEEDS is to boost the electrification of thermal systems in buildings through an integrated approach leveraging energy efficient renovation and smartification of HVAC systems. The SEEDS solutions aim to reduce the thermal energy demand of buildings and enable the deployment of energy flexibility to increase the RES share (in particular, locally produced) thereby enhancing grid stability in a cost-effective way and with low life cycle environmental impact. Thus, SEEDS will start with proven technologies to develop and demonstrate integrated solutions at TRL 6-8 and contribute to the electrification of the buildings, the increased use of local RES and decarbonisation of Europe. Following this overall aim, specific objectives and KPIs are described below:
SO1: Design and improve key components for the application of the energy efficiency first principle in new and renovated buildings
SO2: Design and develop innovative cost-effective hybrid heating and cooling systems with the integration of RES to improve energy efficiency and reduce GHG emissions
SO3: Smartification of energy systems and IoT platform to implement optimal control
SO4: Deploy energy flexibility of buildings to increase the RES share and contribute to power grid stability through a complete set of components for enabling flexibility services
SO5: Real-life demonstration in representative pilot projects
SO6: Develop exploitation and replication plans for the envisaged solutions
SO7: Engage and empower decision makers for the external replication of demonstrated solutions by removing existing barriers for solutions’ mass roll-out in Europe
SO1: Design and improve key components for the application of the energy efficiency first principle in new and renovated buildings
SO2: Design and develop innovative cost-effective hybrid heating and cooling systems with the integration of RES to improve energy efficiency and reduce GHG emissions
SO3: Smartification of energy systems and IoT platform to implement optimal control
SO4: Deploy energy flexibility of buildings to increase the RES share and contribute to power grid stability through a complete set of components for enabling flexibility services
SO5: Real-life demonstration in representative pilot projects
SO6: Develop exploitation and replication plans for the envisaged solutions
SO7: Engage and empower decision makers for the external replication of demonstrated solutions by removing existing barriers for solutions’ mass roll-out in Europe
Progress during PR1:
The consortium has made significant progress regarding reaching SO1 through the work in WP2 and WP4. The groundwork for the upcoming phases of SEEDS has been laid, including the completion of the pilot assessment with detailed insights for the energy consumption patterns of the existing infrastructure. Energy audits, SRI, and life cycle assessment have been conducted for relevant pilot sites. Circular design principles and strategies have been developed, and life cycle assessments have been conducted. Various tools and methodologies have been developed to calculate the energy performance of the buildings, supporting the dimensioning and sizing of the energy systems used in the pilot sites. The electrification solution design and parameterization have been completed, and innovative heating and cooling solutions have been developed based on the requirements of each pilot site.
The project is on track to reach SO2, with the design work primarily done in WP2 and WP4. Specifically, an AI-driven modulation management system was developed for a multi-source heat pump, using lookup tables of COP values to optimise the mix of air- and ground-source operation. A simulation model enabled preliminary sensitivity analyses and hybrid-mode control was added, extending air- and water-mode operation. A smart-tracking control for bifacial PV with reflectors was designed, combining solar position and irradiance modelling with fuzzy-logic and reinforcement-learning agents for dynamic tilt optimisation. Model Predictive Control (MPC) methods were advanced in parallel. Data-driven predictive maintenance models for heat pumps and PVs were created, complemented by PV fault simulations and a unified monitoring database supporting continuous commissioning.
All the technical WPs (WPs 2-5) have been collectively working to build a solid foundation for reaching SO3. Besides the design work done in WP2, which was purchased in most of the pilots. WP3 led the installation and integration of the development of pilot assessment and identification of technology gaps across all pilot sites, designing and documenting the technical architecture of the envisioned automation systems and specifications frameworks for all pilot sites. Use cases and KPIs have been identified for all the technical WPs (2-5) based on each pilot's particularities. The necessary equipment was defined and purchased in most of the pilots, and the installation and integration are ongoing.
With the use cases and KPIs defined collectively by WPs 2-5, SEEDS aims to reach SO4 with different models suitable for the pilot sites. Machine‑learning forecasting models were developed for key devices and processes in all involved pilots (SI, EL, DK), providing flexibility, e.g. models for campus buildings that provide district‑scale demand and generation insights for the EL pilot were developed. Development has started for advanced adaptive control algorithms that, based on signals from the electricity market, DSOs, TSOs and aggregators, boost energy efficiency and ensure power grid stability. A baseline estimate of flexibility capacity for devices (and subsystems) of different complexity was developed, as well as an initial model of a multisource heat pump, able to simulate the performance under various operating conditions. Ancillary services for grid stability were identified, and forecasting algorithms for solar production and electricity prices are being developed.
The 1st phase of the project focusing on design and electrification (WP2), automation systems (WP3), heating and cooling system modelling (WP4), and control algorithms development for flexibility activation (WP5). This provides a solid foundation for the demonstration in the 2nd and 3rd phases of the project to reach SO5.
To reach SO6, a methodology was developed to manage SEEDS’ results, including five main Exploitable Results, ten Individual Results, and 36 innovations. A tool was developed linking the Innovation Registry Table developed in WP1 with exploitation management. This tool allows for clear traceability of innovations, expected outcomes, business routes, and technology readiness levels. A characterization table from partners was developed as a starting point for exploitation planning. These tables are “living documents” that will be regularly updated as the project evolves and finalized in the project’s closing report. An exploitation workshop was conducted, giving partners practical guidance on the exploitation strategy, how to identify and prioritize exploitable results, and how to manage intellectual property effectively.
SEEDS will focus on this SO7 in the 2nd and 3rd phases due to the nature of the project. However, activities have started within this SO. An interview framework has been developed for each decision maker (local government, project developer & investor, property management & social housing company). A questionnaire was created to guide the interviews along the following topics: current state, barriers, and potential solutions. The questionnaires were validated with the other partners and shared upfront with interview candidates to facilitate well-prepared discussions. The interviews with decision makers are in progress.
The consortium has made significant progress regarding reaching SO1 through the work in WP2 and WP4. The groundwork for the upcoming phases of SEEDS has been laid, including the completion of the pilot assessment with detailed insights for the energy consumption patterns of the existing infrastructure. Energy audits, SRI, and life cycle assessment have been conducted for relevant pilot sites. Circular design principles and strategies have been developed, and life cycle assessments have been conducted. Various tools and methodologies have been developed to calculate the energy performance of the buildings, supporting the dimensioning and sizing of the energy systems used in the pilot sites. The electrification solution design and parameterization have been completed, and innovative heating and cooling solutions have been developed based on the requirements of each pilot site.
The project is on track to reach SO2, with the design work primarily done in WP2 and WP4. Specifically, an AI-driven modulation management system was developed for a multi-source heat pump, using lookup tables of COP values to optimise the mix of air- and ground-source operation. A simulation model enabled preliminary sensitivity analyses and hybrid-mode control was added, extending air- and water-mode operation. A smart-tracking control for bifacial PV with reflectors was designed, combining solar position and irradiance modelling with fuzzy-logic and reinforcement-learning agents for dynamic tilt optimisation. Model Predictive Control (MPC) methods were advanced in parallel. Data-driven predictive maintenance models for heat pumps and PVs were created, complemented by PV fault simulations and a unified monitoring database supporting continuous commissioning.
All the technical WPs (WPs 2-5) have been collectively working to build a solid foundation for reaching SO3. Besides the design work done in WP2, which was purchased in most of the pilots. WP3 led the installation and integration of the development of pilot assessment and identification of technology gaps across all pilot sites, designing and documenting the technical architecture of the envisioned automation systems and specifications frameworks for all pilot sites. Use cases and KPIs have been identified for all the technical WPs (2-5) based on each pilot's particularities. The necessary equipment was defined and purchased in most of the pilots, and the installation and integration are ongoing.
With the use cases and KPIs defined collectively by WPs 2-5, SEEDS aims to reach SO4 with different models suitable for the pilot sites. Machine‑learning forecasting models were developed for key devices and processes in all involved pilots (SI, EL, DK), providing flexibility, e.g. models for campus buildings that provide district‑scale demand and generation insights for the EL pilot were developed. Development has started for advanced adaptive control algorithms that, based on signals from the electricity market, DSOs, TSOs and aggregators, boost energy efficiency and ensure power grid stability. A baseline estimate of flexibility capacity for devices (and subsystems) of different complexity was developed, as well as an initial model of a multisource heat pump, able to simulate the performance under various operating conditions. Ancillary services for grid stability were identified, and forecasting algorithms for solar production and electricity prices are being developed.
The 1st phase of the project focusing on design and electrification (WP2), automation systems (WP3), heating and cooling system modelling (WP4), and control algorithms development for flexibility activation (WP5). This provides a solid foundation for the demonstration in the 2nd and 3rd phases of the project to reach SO5.
To reach SO6, a methodology was developed to manage SEEDS’ results, including five main Exploitable Results, ten Individual Results, and 36 innovations. A tool was developed linking the Innovation Registry Table developed in WP1 with exploitation management. This tool allows for clear traceability of innovations, expected outcomes, business routes, and technology readiness levels. A characterization table from partners was developed as a starting point for exploitation planning. These tables are “living documents” that will be regularly updated as the project evolves and finalized in the project’s closing report. An exploitation workshop was conducted, giving partners practical guidance on the exploitation strategy, how to identify and prioritize exploitable results, and how to manage intellectual property effectively.
SEEDS will focus on this SO7 in the 2nd and 3rd phases due to the nature of the project. However, activities have started within this SO. An interview framework has been developed for each decision maker (local government, project developer & investor, property management & social housing company). A questionnaire was created to guide the interviews along the following topics: current state, barriers, and potential solutions. The questionnaires were validated with the other partners and shared upfront with interview candidates to facilitate well-prepared discussions. The interviews with decision makers are in progress.
In the 1st phase of the project, SEEDS delivered all the planned deliverables and established a solid foundation for generating innovative solutions and their demonstrations, thus further generating societal impacts.