Power Peak Reduction Using Smart Ventilation Control System : Technical and Economic Analysis of Rule-Based Ventilation Control Algorithm in School Buildings

Sammanfattning

As electrification increases across society, local electricity grids face growing challenges related to capacity limitations and peak power demand. In regions such as Uppsala, where grid constraints hinder both economic development and the energy transition, finding demand-side solutions within existing infrastructure is increasingly important. This study aims to, 1. identify which electrical loads that are most significant and assess their flexibility, 2. examine whether school facilities power peaks coincide with Uppsala’s power peak and, 3. propose control strategies to optimize their operation without affecting educational functions. A case study approach was used, focusing on two representative schools in Uppsala municipality,Tiundaskolan and Astrakanen preschool. Hourly electricity consumption data from 2024 was analyzed, and a rule-based ventilation algorithm (RBVA) was developed. Additionally, a smartcontrol ventilation scenario was modeled by normalizing Tiundaskolan's data and applying it to Astrakanen preschool. The results indicate that ventilation, although not the largest contributor to peak load, offers the greatest potential for power savings due to its controllability. Implementing smart ventilation control at Astrakanen preschool could reduce ventilation-related electricity use by up to 38.7%, and achieve a total peak shaving effect of up to 6.3%. Further, the RBVA demonstrated the ability to reduce the power peak by up to 12%. When scaled across similar schools in Uppsala, the savings could exceed 350 000 SEK annually. Future work should explore integration of these control systems into broader energy management strategies, including real-time optimization and machine learning approaches to further enhance grid flexibility.