@article {8203,
	title = {A cooperative net zero energy community to improve load matching},
	journal = {Renewable Energy},
	volume = {93},
	year = {2016},
	pages = {1-13},
	abstract = {<p>The work reported here addresses load matching improvement in Net Zero Energy Buildings (Net-ZEBs). The related relevant literature shows that currently research work is mainly focused on improving the load matching of individual buildings. In this paper the concept of a Cooperative Net Zero Energy Community (CNet-ZEC) is introduced, extending discussion to the enhancement of load matching at a wider community level. Both building and community levels are compared in order to assess the work proposed here, through the analysis of three distinct scenarios where five Net-ZEBs work individually or in community.</p>
<p>The results presented here were obtained through a detailed simulation based on 1-min resolution stochastic load profiles and recorded weather data. The results indicate that over the period of a year the CNet-ZEC has the potential to increase the electrical demand covered by onsite electricity generation up to 21\% and the on-site generation that is used by the building up to 15\%. The following elements are considered by the CNet-ZEC in order to produce those results: (i) demand heterogeneity of the buildings integrating the community; (ii) the higher number of controllable devices; and (iii) the potential higher amount of energy available to satisfy the community demand.</p>
},
	url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960148116301458},
	author = {Rui Amaral Lopes and Martins, Jo{\~a}o and Aelenei, Daniel and Celson Pantoja Lima}
}
