Vítězslav Máša

Analysis of energy efficient and environmentally friendly technologies in professional laundry service

Professional laundry service (i.e., doing laundry for hospitals, hotels, production plants, dormitories, and students cafeterias) is an industrial, energy intensive process. Electrical energy and natural gas are commonly used to heat water and drying air. However, much of the energy leaves the process in waste flows completely without any profit. Professional laundry service has also direct impact upon environment. Waste water is often contaminated with laundry detergents and natural gas flue gas is used as drying medium. Therefore, it is an energy intensive process and its energy consumption and related environmental impact are worth researching. This article presents the concept of professional laundry service and main energy efficiency measures that may be relevant for the process. Impacts of laundry process on environment along with financial aspects are assessed in this article, too. Financial parameters of any measure are crucial for laundry operators. However, every assessment of profitability of particular measure has to be substantiated by source operational data. These may significantly vary depending on local prices of energy, water, and human labor. This fact is presented using case study where the difference between real operational costs in three European countries is evaluated (Germany, France, and the Czech Republic). Successful research and development of energy efficient and environmentally friendly technologies must encompass three aspects of every technology, i.e., energy intensity, environmental impact, and financial aspects. This three-component approach and its application in laundry service are unique and since they have not subject to any academic research yet, they are discussed in the conclusion of this article. Article is basically an overview of energy efficient and environmentally friendly technologies in professional laundry service and it must be asserted that it is a first of a kind in this area.

Using a utility system grey-box model as a support tool for progressive energy management and automation of buildings

Abstract The research presented here is focused on improving energy management in a building complex through analytical and empirical modelling of its utilities. First, we introduce current European policy on energy savings in buildings. The modelling starts with a literature review and a thorough study on a heating and cooling system of a particular building complex—the National Theatre in Prague, Czech Republic. Standard building automation and control systems cannot optimize the building’s operations to the fullest and thus do not provide the best cost savings possible. A mathematical model of the energy system and its integration into a building control system is an essential prerequisite for any optimization here. The development of a model which can be integrated into a control system during real-time operation of the building is a very complicated task. Our paper presents a procedure to develop such a model and methods to apply it in a real-life operation. First, the mathematical model is implemented in a simulation tool, which enables an efficiency evaluation of the system. This simulation tool offers especially important support for building automation and control systems when deciding the most effective operation of heat or cold utilities. The model greatly helps in monitoring and optimizing daily offtake limits for natural gas, which is highly appreciated by the building’s technical management. Our practical applications of the model show new possibilities for simulation and optimization calculations which are completely unique in building management systems so far.

Improving the Energy Management of a Building Complex through Utility System Modelling

Abstract According to Escriva-Escriva (2011), utility systems are often managed by non-specialised technicians who need understandable and cost-effective actions to be implemented. Therefore, we can assume that tools for simulation and optimization may further improve operation of utility systems. However, a good model is essential for these purposes. The paper deals with complex utility system modelling using operational data. Our experience shows that data acquisition in common utility system of a municipal building is sometimes poor. Usability of a model based on data of lower quality is discussed and demonstrated on the case of the utility system of The National Theatre building complex in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. It shows that even model based on poor data may be useful for some energy management improvements.