Tm Timilehin Labeodan

On Defining Information and Communication Technology Requirements and Associated Challenges for ‘Energy and Comfort Active’ Buildings☆

The intention of this article is to highlight considerations and ensuing challenges encountered in attempts to define communication requirements for the proposed multi-agent based building energy management systems. This is within the framework of ‘TKI-Smart Grid BEMS’ project which aims at developing new generation intelligent Building Energy Management Systems having capacity to interact with the utility power systems distribution network. The article identifies the development of comfort and energy active buildings as key to deriving maximum benefits from electrical smart grids for the built environment. These buildings require well specified information and communication technology for operational success. The paper is based on critical literature review. This is followed by a discussion on the challenges associated with specifying ICT infrastructure for multi-agents systems-based energy and comfort active buildings.

Buildings’ Energy Flexibility: A Bottom-Up, Multiagent, User-Based Approach to System Integration of Energy Infrastructures to Support the Smart Grid

Using the flexibility within energy generation, distribution infrastructure, renewable energy sources, and the built environment is the ultimate sustainable strategy within the built environment. However, at the moment this flexibility on the building level has yet to be defined. The new IEA Annex 67 is just starting to define this specific flexibility. Our research is aimed at developing, implementing, and evaluating new process control strategies for improving the energy interaction within a building, its environment, and the energy infrastructure by effectively incorporating occupant needs for health (ventilation) and comfort heating/cooling. An integral approach based on general systems theory is used that divides the whole system into different layers from user up to centralized power generation. A bottom-up approach, starting from the user up to the smart grid, offers new possibilities for buildings’ energy flexibility. To make use of the dynamic possibilities offered by the flexibility, new intelligent process control concepts are necessary. Multiagent systems, in combination with building energy management systems, can offer the required additional functionalities. The approach is tested in a case-study building.

Double façades: comfort and ventilation aspects at an extremely complex case study

Highly glazed building envelopes are still a common feature of todays modern architecture despite the on-going raging debate on the energy and comfort performance of highly glazed buildings. It is argued by proponents of high performance and green building designs that the disadvantages of highly glazed buildings outweigh the advantages when operational. In this study, through on-site measurement and simulations, we investigated the behaviour of a recently completed naturally ventilated double-skin façade system at a building in the netherlands with a complex form and a large atrium connecting it to the core of the building. This in a way coupled with the exhaust ventilation of the offices within the building created a problematic thermal indoor environment. It was shown that the dynamic behaviour due to the large influence of the wind fluctuations and solar radiance proved to be highly complex resulting in discomfort and a higher cooling load.