Evaluation of the impact of electric heat pumps and distributed CHP on LV networks

This paper introduces and discusses a methodology to model and assess the impact of distributed electro-thermal technologies such as Distributed Combined Heat and Power (DCHP) and Electric Heat Pump (EHP) on LV distribution networks. Modelling of load and generation for both electricity and heat is carried out as the starting point of the analysis. In this way, it is possible to capture the relevant interactions between the two energy vectors. A fractal algorithm is then used to generate generic large-scale networks with different topologies and characteristics that can resemble real networks. Different metrics are used to quantify the impact of the considered technologies, with emphasis on thermal and voltage limits. Case studies carried out for typical urban and rural areas in the UK and for different scenarios exemplify the developed methodology and illustrate the main drivers for impact and trends in the different cases.