Implementation of building a thermal model to improve energy efficiency of the central heating system - a case study

This paper presents the concept of an innovative control of a central heating system in a multifamily building based on the original thermodynamic model, the resulting architecture of the control system, and the originally designed and manufactured wireless temperature sensors for thermal zones. The novelty of this solution is the developed layers of the control system: distributed measurement and correction analysis, which is based on the existing infrastructure and the local HVAC controller. This approach allows for the effective use of the measured temperature data from thermal zones and finally sending the value of the calculated correction of settings to the controller. Moreover, in the analytical layer, a model was also implemented that calculates the necessary amount of energy based on data from the subsystem of temperature sensors located in the thermal zones of the building. The use of the algorithmic strategy presented in this paper extends the functionality and significantly improves the energy efficiency of the existing, classic, reference heating control algorithm by implementing additional control loops. Additionally, it enables integration with demand-side response systems. The presented concept was successfully tested, achieving real energy savings for heating by 12%. These results are described in a case-study format. The authors believe that this concept can be used in other buildings and thus will have a positive impact on the energy savings used to maintain thermal comfort in buildings and significantly reduce CO2 emissions

A New Concept of Active Demand Side Management for Energy Efficient Prosumer Microgrids with Smart Building Technologies

Energy efficient prosumer microgrids (PMGs) with active and flexible demand side management (DSM) mechanisms are considered to be crucial elements of future smart grids. Due to an increasing share of renewable energy and the growing power demand, appropriate tools to manage not only the loads but also small generation units, heating and cooling systems, storage units and electric vehicles should be provided for them. Therefore, this paper proposes an innovative approach to both physical and logical organization of an active DSM system for future building-integrated prosumer microgrids (BIPMGs), based on standard building automation and control systems (BACS) as well as Internet of Things (IoT) paradigm. New event-triggered control functions with developed universal, logical interfaces for open BACS and IoT network nodes are presented and their implementation in smart metering as well as fully integrated energy management mechanisms is analyzed. Finally, potential energy efficiency improvements with proposed BACS functions are discussed, based on BACS efficiency requirements defined in the EN 15232 standard

A Hybrid Approach in Design of Building Energy Management System with Smart Readiness Indicator and Building as a Service Concept

Improving energy efficiency and increasing the level of intelligence are two main factors determining the current development trends for new and modernized buildings. They are especially important in the perspective of development of prosumer installations and local microgrids. A key tool to achieve these goals is a well-designed and implemented Building Automation and Control System (BACS). This paper presents a new hybrid approach to the design and technical organization of BACS based on the provisions of the EN 15232 standard and the guidelines of the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) defined in the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive 2018 (EPBD 2018). The main assumptions of this hybrid approach along with examples of functional BACS designs for small prosumer installations organized according to them are provided. Potential impact on building energy performance is discussed as well. Finally, a SWOT analysis of the possibility of merging the EN 15232 standard guidelines and the SRI assessment methodology to develop uniform technical guidelines for the BACS functions design and evaluation of their impact on the buildings’ energy efficiency are discussed

Modified Blended Learning in Engineering Higher Education during the COVID-19 Lockdown—Building Automation Courses Case Study

The blended learning method with its supporting electronic tools is a very well-known approach in academic education. In most of its practical applications, direct face to face contacts between students and the teacher as well as students with each other in groups are important elements in the organization of lectures and classes. This is of particular importance in conducting laboratory classes in teaching process for engineers. However, the COVID-19 lockdown in the spring of 2020 closed schools, universities and completely eliminated the possibility of direct interpersonal contacts. These extraordinary circumstances forced changes in the organization of the teaching process, in particular the introduction of distance learning. Therefore, this paper proposes a modified blended learning method as well as describes a case study on its introduction in the education of building automation engineers at a technical university. A new organizational structure of this modified method is presented, with discussion of tools and methods of active distance learning, introduced during the COVID-19 lockdown period. Finally, some experiences, general reflections along with the identification of the preferred forms of distance learning by students are presented. The future works are briefly described as well

Technical, Qualitative and Energy Analysis of Wireless Control Modules for Distributed Smart Home Systems

Distributed smart home systems using wireless communication are increasingly installed and operated in households. Their popularity is due to the ease of installation and configuration. This paper presents a comprehensive technical, quality, and energy analysis of several popular smart home modules. Specifically, it focuses on verifying their power consumption levels, both in standby and active mode, to assess their impact on the energy efficiency of building installations. This is an important aspect in the context of their continuous operation, as well as in relation to the relatively lower power of loads popular in buildings, such as LED lighting. The author presents the results of measurements carried out for seven different smart home modules controlling seven different types of loads. The analysis of the results shows a significant share of home automation modules in the energy balance; in particular, the appearance of reactive power consumption due to the installation of smart home modules is noteworthy. Bearing in mind all the threads of the analysis and discussion of the results of measurement experiments, a short SWOT analysis is presented, with an indication of important issues in the context of further development of smart systems and the Internet of Things with wireless communication interfaces, dedicated to home and building applications

Generic IoT for Smart Buildings and Field-Level Automation—Challenges, Threats, Approaches, and Solutions

Smart home and building systems are popular solutions that support maintaining comfort and safety and improve energy efficiency in buildings. However, dynamically developing distributed network technologies, in particular the Internet of Things (IoT), are increasingly entering the above-mentioned application areas of building automation, offering new functional possibilities. The result of these processes is the emergence of many different solutions that combine field-level and information and communications technology (ICT) networks in various configurations and architectures. New paradigms are also emerging, such as edge and fog computing, providing support for local monitoring and control networks in the implementation of advanced functions and algorithms, including machine learning and artificial intelligence mechanisms. This paper collects state-of-the-art information in these areas, providing a systematic review of the literature and case studies with an analysis of selected development trends. The author systematized this information in the context of the potential development of building automation systems. Based on the conclusions of this analysis and discussion, a framework for the development of the Generic IoT paradigm in smart home and building applications has been proposed, along with a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis of its usability. Future works are proposed as well

Analiza porównawcza dwóch systemów sterowania inteligentnym budynkiem systemu europejskiego EIB/KNX oraz standardu amerykańskiego na bazie technologii Lon Works : rozprawa doktorska /

Tyt. z ekranu tytułowego.Praca doktorska. Akademia Górniczo-Hutnicza im. Stanisława Staszica (Kraków), 2006.Bibliogr.Dostępna także w wersji drukowanej.Tryb dostępu: Internet.Instalacje elektryczne w budynkach, magistralowe, systemy otwarte, nowoczesne instalacje budynkowe, instalacja magistralowa, rozwój systemów automatyki budynkowej, Facility Management, pojęcie inteligencji w budynku, inteligentny budynek w aspekcie marketingowym, badawczo-dydaktycznym, przyszłość systemów inteligentnego budynku, protokół BACnet, standard PROFIBUS, system CEBus, podstawowe elementy składowe, język programowania aplikacji w sieciach typu LonWorks, media komunikacyjne w systemie LonWorks, protokół komunikacyjny LonTalk, wymiana danych, zasady adresowania w sieciach standardu LonWorks, budowa, konfiguracja, zarządzanie sieci LON, narzędzia, w dobie Internetu, zaawansowanych technologii, technologia EIB/KNX, budowa sieci w standardzie EIB/KNX, media transmisyjne, standardu EIB, sieć Internet, najnowsze technologie na usługach systemu EIB/KNX, porównanie systemów LonWorks i EIB/KNX na podstawie danych technicznych obu systemów, topologia sieci, możliwości rozbudowy, budowa urządzeń sieciowych, konfiguracja logiczna sieci, narzędzia instalacji, rozbudowy, zarządzania, nowoczesne techniki komunikacyjne, opis stanowiska badawczego, stanowisko systemu LonWorks, część sprzętowa, na podstawie doświadczeń zebranych w trakcie realizacji stanowisk badawczych, montaż, łączenie, konfiguracja urządzeń sieciowych, programowanie, kontrola stanu sieci, badania laboratoryjne, analiza i kontrola transmisji w sieciach sterowania inteligentnym budynkiem, pomiary komunikatów przesyłanych przez sieć standardu, wpływ zaburzeń zewnętrznych na niezawodność funkcjonowania systemów, pomiary zniekształceń w magistrali sieciowej systemu systemy inteligentnego budynku jako narzędzie kontroli zużycia energii i jakości zasilania w budynku, podstawowe informacje dotyczące jakości energii elektrycznej, idea wykorzystania systemów inteligentnego budynku w pomiarach zużycia, jakości energii elektrycznej, w pomiarach i kontroli parametrów zasilania, analiza danych pomiarowych z sieci, wykresy, analiza wyników pomiarów zużycia energii elektrycznej w istniejących instalacjach, porównanie zużycia energii na podstawie miesięcznych wartości średnich, maksymalnych, analiza poziomów zużycia energii elektrycznej w ciągu roku, zarys kierunków dalszych bada

Lighting Control Including Daylight and Energy Efficiency Improvements Analysis

Energy used for lighting is one of the major components of total energy consumption in buildings. Nowadays, buildings have a great potential to reduce their energy consumption, but to achieve this purpose additional efforts are indispensable. In this study, the need for energy savings evaluation before the implementation of lighting control algorithms for a specified building is highlighted. Therefore, experimental tests have been carried out in a university building with laboratories and other rooms, equipped with KNX building automation system. A dimmable control strategy has been investigated, dependent on daylight illuminance. Moreover, a relationship between external and internal daylight illuminance levels has been evaluated as well. Based on the experimental results, the authors proposed a method for the rough estimation of electrical energy savings. Since, according to the EN 15232 standard, Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS) play an important role in buildings’ energy efficiency improvements, the BACS efficiency factors from this standard have been used to verify the experimental results presented in the paper. The potential to reduce energy consumption from lighting in non-residential buildings by 28% for offices and 24% for educational buildings has been confirmed, but its dependence on specific building parameters has been discussed as well

Energy Performance and Control Strategy for Dynamic Façade with Perovskite PV Panels—Technical Analysis and Case Study

Effective implementation of renewable energy sources (RES) is one of the main challenges in regard to the organization of local energy microgrids with buildings. One of the solutions is the use of dynamic building façades with photovoltaic (PV) panels, in particular the innovative perovskite solar cells (PSCs). This paper describes a case study performed on a pilot installation of perovskite PV panels located in Poland, Central-Eastern Europe. Results of preliminary measurements on this installation are provided in terms of verifying its energy efficiency and the possibility of selecting settings for the façade dynamics control system. Our experiments have considered the sun-tracking mechanism and its energy consumption as well as the impact of weather conditions at different times of the year. The energy efficiency results for the PV system, with average levels below 10%, are rather low. Therefore, even small energy savings in the operation of the PV system itself are significant. Changes in control scenarios for sun-tracking have been proposed and have obtained a reduction from 5% to 1% of energy consumption in autumn and from almost 3.2% to 0.6% in spring, in relation to overall energy produced by the PV system. The need for further experimental research from the perspective of the development and extension of the analyzed installation is pointed out as well