41,361 research outputs found
Software reference architecture for smart environments: Perception
With the increase of intelligent devices, ubiquitous computing is spreading to all scopes of people life. Smart
home (or industrial) environments include automation and control devices to save energy, perform tasks, assist
and give comfort in order to satisfy specific preferences.
This paper focuses on the proposal for Software Reference Architecture for the development of smart applications
and their deployment in smart environments. The motivation for this Reference Architecture and its benefits are
also explained. The proposal considers three main processes in the software architecture of these applications:
perception, reasoning and acting.
This paper centres attention on the definition of the Perception process and provides an example for its
implementation and subsequent validation of the proposal.
The software presented implements the Perception process of a smart environment for a standard office, by
retrieving data from the real world and storing it for further reasoning and acting processes. The objectives of
this solution include the provision of comfort for the users and the saving of energy in lighting. Through this
verification, it is also shown that developments under this proposal produce major benefits within the software
life cycle.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad TIN2009-14378-C02-01 (ARTEMISA)Junta de Andalucía TIC-8052 (Simon
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A decision support system for fostering smart energy efficient districts
The role of ICT is becoming prominent in tackling some of the urban societal challenges such as energy
wastage and increasing carbon emissions. In this context, the concept of DAREED aims to deliver an
integrated decision support system (DSS) to drive energy efficiency and low carbon activities at both a
building and district level. The main aim of this paper is to present the technical concept of the Best
Practices recommendation component of the DAREED system. This component seeks to compare and
identify existing best practices to recommend practical actions to various stakeholders (e.g. building
managers, citizens) in order to improve energy performance considering the global needs of a building.
This paper also discusses the context of the three field trial sites (based in UK, Spain and Italy) in which
the DAREED platform along with the best practices tool is to be tested and validated.This work evolved in the context of the project DAREED (Decision support Advisor for innovative
business models and useR engagement for smart Energy Efficient Districts), www.dareed.eu, a project cofunded
by the EC within FP7, Grant agreement no: 609082
Dynamic Daylight Metrics for Electricity Savings in Offices: Window Size and Climate Smart Lighting Management
Daylight performance metrics provide a promising approach for the design and
optimization of lighting strategies in buildings and their management. Smart controls for electric
lighting can reduce power consumption and promote visual comfort using different control strategies,
based on affordable technologies and low building impact. The aim of this research is to assess the
energy efficiency of these smart controls by means of dynamic daylight performance metrics, to
determine suitable solutions based on the geometry of the architecture and the weather conditions.
The analysis considers different room dimensions, with variable window size and two mean surface
reflectance values. DaySim 3.1 lighting software provides the simulations for the study, determining
the necessary quantification of dynamic metrics to evaluate the usefulness of the proposed smart
controls and their impact on energy efficiency. The validation of dynamic metrics is carried out by
monitoring a mesh of illuminance-meters in test cells throughout one year. The results showed that,
for most rooms more than 3.00 m deep, smart controls achieve worthwhile energy savings and a low
payback period, regardless of weather conditions and for worst-case situations. It is also concluded
that dimming systems provide a higher net present value and allow the use of smaller window size
than other control solutions
The application of BIM tools to explore the dynamic characteristics of smart materials in a contemporary Shanashil building design element
Traditional architecture is known for its crafted facade features that respond to environmental, social and cultural requirements. Contemporary architecture produced façade features that attempted to enhance local design identity and local culture. Despite the advantages of modern technology, architectural elements have difficulties in fulfilling the idea of sustainable elegance that once traditional elements provided. This problem calls for an interdisciplinary design approach to deliver sustainable design solutions that positively adapt to the surrounding environment as well as maintain the state of elegance in design. With this in mind, the research aims to explore the role of new glass technologies to improve the performance and at the same time maintain the design value of traditional façade element “shanashil” in Baghdadi buildings. This research utilises BIM tools and uses smart materials to restore the lost value in design, which mimics the dynamic characteristics observed in nature, inspired by biomimetics strategies. Such qualities are found in the characteristics of smart dynamic glazing material particularly in the switchable, reversible properties of transparency and coloration efficiency. The material characteristics are attached to a 3D digital prototype to visualise the difference between dynamic and static properties through the use of technology tools Revit plugin and smart glazing virtual reality prototype. This research concludes that the dynamic characteristics of smart glazing materials are effective in delivering a multifunctional design quality to collectively blend in harmony with the surrounding environment
Energy use in residential buildings: Impact of building automation control systems on energy performance and flexibility
This work shows the results of a research activity aimed at characterizing the energy habits of Italian residential users. In detail, by the energy simulation of a buildings sample, the opportunity to implement a demand/response program (DR) has been investigated. Italian residential utilities are poorly electrified and flexible loads are low. The presence of an automation system is an essential requirement for participating in a DR program and, in addition, it can allow important reductions in energy consumption. In this work the characteristics of three control systems have been defined,
based on the services incidence on energy consumptions along with a sensitivity analysis on some energy drivers. Using the procedure established by the European Standard EN 15232, the achievable
energy and economic savings have been evaluated. Finally, a financial analysis of the investments has been carried out, considering also the incentives provided by the Italian regulations. The payback
time is generally not very long: depending on the control system features it varies from 7 to 10 years; moreover, the automation system installation within dwellings is a relatively simple activity, which is
characterized by a limited execution times and by an initial expenditure ranging in 1000 € to 4000 €, related to the three sample systems
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