Issues relating to the reduction of CO₂ emissions and energy
consumption are currently more important than ever before. In the
construction engineering and automotive sectors research and
development efforts are focused closely on efficient buildings and
automobiles. The designated target is a reduction in greenhouse gas
emissions and overall energy demand.
However, almost all approaches focus solely on either
"buildings" or "mobility." By considering both
aspects as a single holistic system, further energy saving
potential arises due to synergetic effects. The goal of current
research projects relating to Smart Homes and Vehicle to Building
(V2B) is to smooth the electrical load profile on a household level
rather than to reduce the individual-related total energy
consumption and thereby the CO₂ emissions.
In contrast to this, the present paper aims to suggest
possibilities and synergetic effects indicating how a holistic
consideration of both elements, "buildings" and
"mobility," can contribute in reducing individual-related
total energy consumption. A system is presented which consists of a
plug-in vehicle and a residential building. The holistic system
includes thermal and electrical energy sources, storage units,
sinks, connections to a public power grid and a gas distribution
system. The system components are in part mobile and in part
stationary units. A combined heat and power (CHP) unit enables the
conversion of energy in the form of natural gas into thermal and
electrical energy to supply both the building and the vehicle. By
intelligent use of the system components, the total energy
consumption can be minimized while the demand for thermal and
electrical energy as well as basic needs for mobility will be
covered. Beyond that the system allows charging of the vehicle with
an improved system-internal electricity mix in comparison to the
mix supported by the utility.