Dynamic allocation of a domestic heating task to gas-based and heatpump-based heating agents

Abstract

In this paper a multi-agent model for a domestic heating task is introduced and analysed. The model includes two alternative heating agents (for gas-based heating and for heatpump-based heating), and a third allocation agent which determines the most economic allocation of the heating task to these heating agents over the days in a year. For allocation decisions it is analysed how the performance of a heatpump depends on the outdoor temperature. One method discussed is a what-if analysis method using agent-based simulation, another method is by mathematical analysis to derive more precise knowledge about the most optimal allocation choice. These methods can be used by the allocation agent to determine in a dynamic, adaptive manner per day a most economic allocation, depending on the (predicted) outdoor temperature. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.