Control Strategies for Variable Air Volume Ventilation used as a Demand Response Resource

Sammanfattning: The Swedish power grid is actively balanced in order to maintain the nominal frequency of 50 Hz. Today, this is mostly done through flexible power generation. Emerging markets, allowing consuming resources to participate in balancing the grid, have the potential to increase the stability of the grid. This master thesis aimed to investigate the consequences and possibilities of using variable air volume (VAV) ventilation systems as a balancing resource for the grid. Through modelling and simulation of these systems, conclusions were drawn regarding the balancing potential. As a consequence of flexible power consumption, VAV room automation was negatively effected. The thesis emphasized development of generic room automation control strategies, reducing negative effects. The main outcome of this thesis was a control strategy which was able to facilitate flexible power consumption whilst retaining close to normal VAV operation. Also, a small economical analysis was performed to give an overview of the potential earnings for balancing resources.