Performance prediction of advanced building controls in the design phase using ESP-r, BCVTB and Matlab

In this paper, we present a new simulation-based approach with capabilities for analysing the impact of advanced control strategies on building performance during the building design phase. This environment consists of ESP-r as building simulation tool, Matlab as software for advanced building controllers and BCVTB as middleware for data exchange per time step between the two programs. After describing the implementation details, we illustrate usability of the design support environment in a case study. This application example demonstrates model predictive control of a building with a thermally activated floor and solar shading. Furthermore, we show the use of explicit state initialization in ESP-r and a method to include uncertain weather predictions in the controller

Strong, Weak and Branching Bisimulation for Transition Systems and Markov Reward Chains: A Unifying Matrix Approach

We first study labeled transition systems with explicit successful termination. We establish the notions of strong, weak, and branching bisimulation in terms of boolean matrix theory, introducing thus a novel and powerful algebraic apparatus. Next we consider Markov reward chains which are standardly presented in real matrix theory. By interpreting the obtained matrix conditions for bisimulations in this setting, we automatically obtain the definitions of strong, weak, and branching bisimulation for Markov reward chains. The obtained strong and weak bisimulations are shown to coincide with some existing notions, while the obtained branching bisimulation is new, but its usefulness is questionable

Investigating the potential of a novel low-energy house concept with hybrid adaptable thermal storage

In conventional buildings thermal mass is a permanent building characteristic depending on the building design. However, none of the permanent thermal mass concepts are optimal in all operational conditions. We propose a concept that combines the benefits of buildings with low and high thermal mass by applying hybrid adaptable thermal storage (HATS) systems and materials to a lightweight building. The HATS concept increases building performance and the robustness to changing user behavior, seasonal variations and future climate changes. Building performance simulation is used to investigate the potential of the novel concept for reducing heating energy demand and increasing thermal comfort. Simulation results of a case study in the Netherlands show that the optimal quantity of the thermal mass is sensitive to the change of seasons. This implies that the building performance will benefit from implementing HATS. Furthermore, the potential of HATS is quantified using a simplified HATS model. Calculations show heating energy demand reductions of up to 35% and increased thermal comfort compared to conventional thermal mass concepts

Onderzoek naar het potentieel van hybride adaptieve thermische energieopslagsystemen voor laag-energiewoningen

In conventionele gebouwen is de thermische massa een permanente gebouweigenschap die afhankelijk is van het gebouwontwerp. Gebouwen met een permanente thermische massa zullen echter niet onder alle omstandigheden optimaal presteren. In dit artikel wordt daarom een gebouwconcept geintroduceerd dat de voordelen benut van zowel een thermisch licht als een thermisch zwaar gebouw. Het concept bestaat uit een lichtgewicht constructie met een hybride adaptieve thermische energieopslagcapaciteit (hybrid adaptable thermal storage, HATS). Dit zogenaamde HATS-concept verbetert de gebouwprestaties en vergroot de robuustheid voor veranderend gebruikersgedrag, seizoenswisselingen en klimaatveranderingen. Met behulp van gebouwsimulatie wordt in dit artikel het potentieel van het HATS-concept onderzocht en gekwantificeerd. Simulaties van een casestudy in Nederland laten zien dat de optimale hoeveelheid thermisch massa afhankelijk is van het gebruikersgedrag en seizoenswisselingen. Dit impliceert dat de gebouwprestaties van de casestudy zullen verbeteren door gebruik te maken van het HATS-concept. Verder is het potentieel gekwantificeerd met behulp van een vereenvoudigd HATS-model. Berekeningen van de casestudy met het HATS-model laten zien dat de warmtevraag met 35% afneemt, terwijl het thermisch comfort sterk verbetert vergeleken met de casestudy die gebruik maakt van een permanente thermische massa

Optimization of a Solar Chimney Design to Enhance Natural Ventilation in a Multi-Storey Office Building

Natural ventilation of buildings can be achieved with solar-driven , buoyancy-induced airflow through a solar chimney channel. Research on solar chimneys has covered a wide range of topics, yet study of the integration in multi-storey buildings has been performed in few numerical studies , where steady-state conditions were assumed. In practice, if the solar chimney is to be used in an actual building, dynamic performance simulations would be required for the specific building design and climate. This study explores the applicability of a solar chimney in a prototype multi-storey office building in the Netherlands. Sensitivity analysis and optimization of the design will be performed via dynamic performance simulations in ESP-r. The robustness of the optimized design will be tested at the final stage , against e.g. windows' opening by users. This is an ongoing project; calibration of the solar chimney model and preliminary sensitivity analysis results are presented here.

Exploring the Optimal Thermal Mass to Investigate the Potential of a Novel Low-Energy House Concept

In conventional buildings thermal mass is a permanent building characteristic depending on the building design. However, none of the permanent thermal mass concepts are optimal in all operational conditions. We propose a concept that combines the benefits of buildings with low and high thermal mass by applying hybrid adaptable thermal storage (HATS) systems and materials to a lightweight building. The HATS concept increases building performance and the robustness to changing user behavior, seasonal variations and future climate changes. In this paper the potential of the novel HATS concept is investigated by determining the sensitivity of the optimal thermal mass of a building to the change of seasons and to changing occupancy patterns. The optimal thermal mass is defined as the quantity of the thermal mass that provides the best building performance (based on a trade-off between the building performance indicators). Building performance simulation and multi-objective optimization techniques are used to define the optimal thermal mass of a case study in the Netherlands. Simulation results show that the optimal quantity of the thermal mass is sensitive to the change of seasons and occupancy patterns. This implies that the building performance will benefit from implementing HATS. Furthermore, the results show that using HATS reduces the heating energy demand of the case study with 26% and reduces weighted over- and underheating hours with 85%

Healthy environments from a broad perspective : an overview of research performed at the unit Building Physics and Systems of Eindhoven University of Technology

The design and realization of a healthy indoor environment is a challenge that is investigated from different perspectives at the unit Building Physics and Systems (BPS; Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning) of Eindhoven University of Technology. Performance requirements (for instance, with respect to air quality, thermal comfort and lighting) and performance based assessment methods are the point-of-departure, focusing at computational techniques supporting the design process. Different specific application fields such as dwellings, offices, schools, but also, operating theatres, churches, musea and multifunctional stadiums, underline the applied approach that is part of the research within the unit. In the design of healthy environments, the performance based design assessment is crucial in arriving at innovative design solutions and optimized indoor and outdoor environments. In this assessment computational support tools and experimental verification play an important role. However, assessing the right indicators in an objective way, applying the correct tools and correct application of these tools is not yet well established. Alongside, developments are still ongoing. The work performed in the unit by the different researchers relates to the research questions that can be derived from this notice. The paper gives an introduction to the Unit BPS and presents a brief overview of recent and ongoing research. An extensive list of references is provided for further reading and supports the conclusion that healthy environments can and should be addressed from a wide angle

Performance prediction of advanced building controls in the design phase using ESP-r, BCVTB and Matlab

In this paper, we present a new simulation-based approach with capabilities for analysing the impact of advanced control strategies on building performance during the building design phase. This environment consists of ESP-r as building simulation tool, Matlab as software for advanced building controllers and BCVTB as middleware for data exchange per time step between the two programs. After describing the implementation details, we illustrate usability of the design support environment in a case study. This application example demonstrates model predictive control of a building with a thermally activated floor and solar shading. Furthermore, we show the use of explicit state initialization in ESP-r and a method to include uncertain weather predictions in the controller

Optimizing building designs using a robustness indicator with respect to user behavior

Multi-objective optimization algorithms are used in the building design process to find optimal solutions for design problems. Typically, these algorithms provide the decision maker with a Pareto front containing trade-off solutions. Since these solutions are equally good, the decision maker needs a method to select the most appropriate solution. In this paper, we propose a selection method that ranks the Pareto solutions according to their performance robustness. This allows the decision maker to select the most robust design solution. The proposed method is applied to an optimization problem of a building case study. The building performance robustness of this building is assessed for uncertainties in user behavior, since, for many buildings, that is a parameter with a high uncertainty and a high influence on the building performance. Our study shows that the proposed method provides the decision maker with useful information for the decision making process