Rui Amaral Lopes is invited Professor at NOVA School of Science and Technology. Rui was born in Lagos, Portugal, in 1989. He received the M.Sc and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the Faculty of Sciences and Technology of NOVA University of Lisbon, Portugal, in 2012 and 2017, respectively. He is now working with the Electrical and Computers Engineering department of this institution as Invited Assistant Professor. Additionally, since 2013 he has been with the Center of Technology and Systems (CTS) – UNINOVA, Portugal, where he is currently working on several national and international projects. His research interests include energy flexibility; demand side management; energy efficiency; integration of renewable energy sources; power distribution; and nearly zero-energy buildings and communities.

Title: Using Energy Flexibility to Improve the Grid Interaction of nearly Zero-Energy Buildings

Abstract: The nearly Zero-Energy Building concept is foreseen as a reference for the future of the European building stock. While several factors contribute to the introduction of legal instruments that promote a fast adoption of these buildings (e.g. energy efficiency), their relationship with low voltage distribution grids is far more complex than the one of the regular buildings. In order to improve the grid interaction of nearly Zero-Energy Building in particular, and of regular buildings equipped with distributed generation systems in general, Energy Flexibility can be used to improve load matching while respecting users' comfort needs. This presentation will focus on the main components of the nearly Zero-Energy Building concept and illustrate positive and negative impacts associated with the integration of such buildings in low voltage distribution grids. Additionally, it will show how Energy Flexibility can be used to mitigate possible negative impacts.