Exploring the Potential Demand-Side Flexibility of a Microgrid: A Case Study at a Multifunctional Building in Uppsala, Sweden

This study investigates the potential implementation of a microgrid at Dansmästaren, a multifunctional building in Uppsala, Sweden, comprising a supermarket, residential apartments, and a parking garage. This paper analyzes the load profiles of the various components within Dansmästaren and the Uppsala grid to identify overlapping peak demand periods that increase the overall facility power consumption and contribute to grid congestion. Focus is given to the three days with the highest peak loads: the worst day for Uppsala's distribution grid (Case A), the highest peak for the entire building (Case B), and the highest peak for the parking garage (Case C), representing the most challenging scenarios for the microgrid. The study explores how integrating smart charging capabilities for electric vehicles in the parking garage can provide flexibility to shift loads and mitigate peak demands during these worst-case scenarios. The study highlights strong demand-side flexibility in Dansmästaren, with Case A, B, and C showing Time Flexibility Index values of 0.77, 0.79, and 0.72, where the index ranges from 0 to 1, with a value nearer to 1 indicating higher flexibility. The resulting load profiles show a peak load reduction of 62 %, 77 %, and 74%. These results highlight the effectiveness of smart charging in reducing peak loads and enhancing grid stability, suggesting that advanced strategies could further boost building sustainability, especially with Sweden's growing adoption of electric vehicles. The findings also encourage innovative urban solutions and pave the way for future research.