Team Members:
Priyadarshan – Ph.D. student in Mechanical Engineering
John Huby – Master’s student in Mechanical Engineeringe
Panagiotis Papageorgiou – Ph.D. student in Mechanical Engineering
Nadah Al Theeb – Ph.D. student in Mechanical Engineering
Advisor: Dr. Davide Ziviani
School: Purdue University
Challenge: No Peaking! Managing Peak Power Demand in Building
The objective of this challenge is to reduce peak power demand (load) in U.S. buildings (residential, commercial, new, or existing) by focusing on their thermal loads and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Innovative solutions should lead to significant reductions in carbon emissions while being accessible to low- and moderate-income (LMI) communities.
Project Title: Reducing Peak Demand and Advancing Energy Equity for Low-Moderate Income (LMI) Communities Across the United States
Solution: The initiative, led by Team PeakBusters, focuses on retrofitting existing or new heat pumps with integrated battery storage and modulating electric heating elements, managed by a smart energy control system. This approach addresses two major challenges: grid strain during peak demand and disproportionate energy costs faced by low-moderate income communities. By optimizing energy usage and shifting demand through these retrofitted systems, the project aims to lower household energy costs, stabilize grid load, and improve thermal comfort. To reduce reliance on fossil fuels, an integrated battery allows for storage and use of renewable energy. Case studies demonstrate that the modulating resistive heating element in existing heat pumps can reduce peak demand by 15% during extreme cold weather (e.g., -23°C), while simultaneously improving thermal comfort by 40% in colder regions measured with predicted percentage dissatisfied metrics. When paired with the built-in battery and smart controls, the system achieves up to a 20% reduction in peak demand. The team’s commitment to equity ensures that the benefits of cleaner energy and improved energy efficiency can reach vulnerable communities, aligning with federal climate goals to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The project’s emphasis on environmental justice, sustainable technology, and energy affordability highlights a holistic strategy to drive equitable energy transitions across diverse regions of the United States.