Davide Calì

Multiphysics Test Bed for Renewable Energy Systems in Smart Homes

This work introduces a multiphysics test bed which supports the testing of renewable energy systems in the context of home energy systems (HESs). The test bed, based on power-hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) technology, allows for testing renewable energy systems and HESs in a holistic way. Homes, as the melting pot of different forms of energy, are one of the key enablers for the smart grid technology. The interface of different energy domains is the main propeller for innovation and development of new technologies. The test bed presented in this work comprises thermal, hydraulic, communication, and electrical interfaces, enabling a variety of testing scenarios. The modular structure of the test bed allows for a very flexible setup for analyzing different kinds of HESs.

New energy concepts and related information technologies: Dual Demand Side Management

This paper presents the concept of Dual Demand Side Management (2DSM) as an evolution of the conventional Demand Side Management concept. 2DSM accounts at the same time on one hand for the local needs, i.e. energy efficiency of the building stock as well as optimization of the local distribution grid and on the other hand for the challenges of the higher level electrical grid arising from the integration of renewable and alternative energy sources. The proposed concept shows the possibilities originating from the interaction of local district heating, heat storage and micro grid technology. Finally the paper shows the development and testing processes required for designing complex multi-domain systems.

Modelling diversity in building occupant behaviour: a novel statistical approach

We propose an advanced modelling framework to predict the scope and effects of behavioural diversity regarding building occupant actions on window openings, shading devices and lighting. We develop a statistical approach based on generalised linear mixed models to account for the longitudinal nature of observations on occupants, and to provide a coherent method to capture observed variability amongst occupant/room pairings through built-in probabilistic terms describing occupant diversity in a tractable manner within building energy simulation. The contribution of the proposed method is demonstrated using collected behavioural data from three long-term monitoring campaigns (an office building in Switzerland and residential units in Germany and Denmark).

Consumer benefits of electricity-price-driven heat pump operation in future smart grids

This paper describes the financial benefits of consumers while applying different operating modes to their heat pump. In order to evaluate the different operating modes a single family house with heating system has been modeled and simulated with different operation strategies of the heating system and exposed to different electricity tariff schemes. Due to the detailed building model the comfort level resulting from the different operating modes has also been evaluated.

Retrofit Solutions for Residential Buildings

The complete refurbishment of nine buildings, each containing ten apartments of 72 m2 is presented, and preliminary results are shown. The buildings have a different retrofit scenario in terms of insulation, heat production and delivery, domestic hot water production and air–handling systems. Following the energy saving ordinance for buildings in Germany of the year 2007 [1] each building has been evaluated. A monthly energy balance based on weather data from the German test reference year has been calculated for a one year period. The results show that depending on the refurbishment solution, the retrofit can reduce the energy demand up to 93%, and increases thermal comfort. Within the next three years, the buildings will be monitored in high time resolution. Physical models of the buildings and the components are under development using the modeling language Modelica, and will be validated through measured data. Once validated, the models will be used, for example, to elaborate regulation strategies for...