In this study, we assessed the performance and suitability of a novel control strategy for both a Mini Combined Heat and Power (MCHP) unit and a photovoltaic system, combined with thermal (TES) and electric (EES) energy storage systems. The newly developed control strategy incorporates a forecast for the photovoltaic system output throughout the day, coupled with a daily electric load projection. It also takes the current storage levels of the TES and the EES into account and identifies favourable EES system capacity set-points throughout the day. A simulation model of such a system was realised in Matlab and the performance of the new electric storage-following operational control compared to an identical system operated under a thermal load-following strategy. Furthermore, the investigated system was also analysed against a photovoltaic system with an EES, but without an MCHP unit.

It was found that the degree of electric self-sufficiency was always higher in the system operated under the electric storage-following control strategy. Varying the size of the EES and the photovoltaic system, the highest degree of electric self-sufficiency (nearly 100%) was associated with the largest system configuration tested (16 kWh EES combined with a 14 kW photovoltaic system). Acceptable levels of self-sufficiency in excess of 95% were already reached in a system consisting of a 10 kWh EES and a 10 kW photovoltaic system. There is a strong indication that the specific daily scheduling of the MCHP unit combined with the anticipated daily PV system electricity output, advantageous energy storage levels and enhanced EES system capacity utilisation, clearly distinguish the novel electric storage-following control strategy from a thermal load-following operational control.