H.E.A.T. - Home Energy Automation Technology

The purpose of this project is to explore residential household climate control systems and develop a viable product concept that integrates any and all heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) sources into an automated electronic control system. This project will incorporate a microcontroller-based modular system that provides multiple communication mediums to adapt to most household configurations. This system will utilize a web-based control server that implements efficient climate control algorithms, resulting in improved heating and cooling efficiency for residential and small-business consumers

Optimizing Ice Thermal Storage To Reduce Energy Cost

Energy cost for buildings is an issue of concern for owners across the U.S. The bigger the building, the greater the concern. A part of this is due to the energy required to cool the building and the way in which charges are set when paying for energy consumed during different times of the day. This study will prove that designing ice thermal storage properly will minimize energy cost in buildings. The effectiveness of ice thermal storage as a means to reduce energy costs lies within transferring the time of most energy consumption from on-peak to off-peak periods. Multiple variables go into the equation of finding the optimal use of ice thermal storage and they are all judged with the final objective of minimizing monthly energy costs. This research discusses the optimal design of ice thermal storage and its impact on energy consumption, energy demand, and the total energy cost. A tool for optimal design of ice thermal storage is developed, considering variables such as chiller and ice storage sizes and charging and discharge times. The simulations take place in a four-story building and investigate the potential of Ice Thermal Storage as a resource in reducing and minimizing energy cost for cooling. The simulations test the effectiveness of Ice Thermal Storage implemented into the four-story building in ten locations across the United States

The effectiveness of energy storage in hybrid vehicles

Public awareness of finite oil resources and concerns over climate change have spurred efforts to improve vehicle efficiency and reduce emissions by road transport. Hybrids have become an increasingly popular alternative to conventional powertrain vehicles. Large fuel savings are claimed (typically 70 + mpg) (Toyota, 2014), however, collective anecdotal evidence from owners of these vehicles suggests a more modest performance. A literature review yielded an abundance of literature relating to specific hybrid vehicle technologies, and control strategies, however the variation in energy savings over different journey types for different classes of vehicle has received less attention. A simulation tool was developed to compare the energy saving effectiveness of parallel hybrid powertrains with regenerative braking and energy storage across a broad range of vehicle and journey types. The realism of the simulation (in non-hybrid mode) was evaluated by comparison with practical trials. A range of validation methods showed that average fuel consumption could be calculated to within +/- 5-10% of measured consumption and, in cases where detailed data for a vehicle was available, this improved to within 3%. Simulated fuel consumption was around 15% greater that manufacturers’ claims – reasons for this were explored. Using the backward and forward looking simulation it was possible to calculate likely fuel savings in various scenarios. Results indicate a trend of improved potential savings with increased vehicle mass. Over urban journeys results ranged from around 16 to 23% energy savings for a small car and large coach respectively. On extra-urban journeys much more modest savings were calculated ranging from a maximum of 0 - 4 % across the same range of vehicles. The likely effects of vehicle mass and drag coefficient has also been explored along with the energy saving potential of start-stop engine technology, often used in hybrids and non-hybrids alike. The broad part of the study confirmed quantitatively that greatest fuel savings might be achieved on urban routes with public transport buses. The study then narrowed to consider this application, particularly with respect to exhaust emissions which are cause for growing concern. Possible reductions in exhaust NOx and PM emissions of up to 10 to 12% respectively were predicted through the application of parallel hybrid powertrains to existing bus designs and simulated on the MLTB cycle

Optimizing Ice Thermal Storage To Reduce Energy Cost

Energy cost for buildings is an issue of concern for owners across the U.S. The bigger the building, the greater the concern. A part of this is due to the energy required to cool the building and the way in which charges are set when paying for energy consumed during different times of the day. This study will prove that designing ice thermal storage properly will minimize energy cost in buildings. The effectiveness of ice thermal storage as a means to reduce energy costs lies within transferring the time of most energy consumption from on-peak to off-peak periods. Multiple variables go into the equation of finding the optimal use of ice thermal storage and they are all judged with the final objective of minimizing monthly energy costs. This research discusses the optimal design of ice thermal storage and its impact on energy consumption, energy demand, and the total energy cost. A tool for optimal design of ice thermal storage is developed, considering variables such as chiller and ice storage sizes and charging and discharge times. The simulations take place in a four-story building and investigate the potential of Ice Thermal Storage as a resource in reducing and minimizing energy cost for cooling. The simulations test the effectiveness of Ice Thermal Storage implemented into the four-story building in ten locations across the United States

Modeling Multiple Occupant Behaviors in Buildings for increased Simulation Accuracy: An Agent-Based Modeling Approach

The dissertation addresses the limitation of current building energy simulation programs in accounting for occupant behaviors, which have been identified as having significant impact on the overall building energy performance. It introduces a new simulation methodology using an agent- based modeling approach that helps to both predict real-world occupant behaviors observed in an operating building and to calculate behavior impact on energy use and occupant comfort. A series of experiments has been conducted using the new methodology and yielded simulation results that not only distinguish themselves from current simulation practices, but also uncover emerging phenomena that enhance the insights on building dynamics

ReSCon '12, Research Student Conference: Book of Abstracts

The fifth SED Research Student Conference (ReSCon2012) was hosted over three days, 18-20 June 2012, in the Hamilton Centre at Brunel University. The conference consisted of 130 oral and 70 poster presentations, based on the high quality and diverse research being conducted within the School of Engineering and Design by postgraduate research students. The conference is held annually, and ReSCon plays a key role in contributing to research and innovations within the School