Vladimir Vukovic

Future demand response services for blocks of buildings

Research surrounding demand response (DR) is beginning to consider how blocks of buildings can operate collectively within energy networks. DR at the level of a block of buildings involves near real-time optimisation of energy demand, storage and supply (including self-production) using intelligent energy management systems with the objective of reducing the difference between peak-power demand and minimum night-time demand, thus reducing costs and greenhouse gas emissions. To enable this it will be necessary to integrate and augment the telemetry and control technologies embedded in current building management systems and identify potential revenue sources: both of which vary according to local and national contexts. This paper discusses how DR in blocks of buildings might be achieved. The ideas proposed are based on a current EU funded collaborative research project called “Demand Response in Blocks of Buildings” (DR-BOB), and are envisaged to act as a starting-point for future research and innovation.

A Parametrization Scheme for High Performance Thermal Models of Electric Machines using Modelica

Abstract Thermal models offer great advantages for enhancement of design, protection and control of electric machines. Detailed thermal models take a great number of time constants into account and provide accurate prediction of the temperatures. However, to parameterize such models detailed geometric data are needed. Whenever such detailed information is not available, or the performance of the detailed models is not satisfying, simplified thermal models as described in this paper are advantageous. The calculation of parameters is described in detail, in order to achieve best accordance with temperatures obtained from measurements or from simulations with detailed thermal models. Thermal resistances are calculated from end temperatures of a test run with constant load (and known losses). Thermal capacitances are obtained using optimization to minimize deviation of simulated and measured temperatures during the whole test run. The thermal model of an asynchronous induction machine with squirrel cage is coupled with an electrical model of the drive. For validation, simulation results of an optimally parameterized simplified model are compared with temperatures obtained by simulation of a detailed thermal model, which in turn has been validated against measurement results, both for continuous duty S1 and intermittent duty S6 (6 minutes no-load followed by 4 minutes of 140% nominal load). The deviations are not more than 4 K which is quite satisfying.

Investigating the Potential of Delivering Employer Information Requirements in BIM Enabled Construction Projects in Qatar

Employer’s Information Requirements (EIR) is a key document for the successful delivery of construction projects using Building Information Modeling (BIM). EIR sets out the information to be delivered and the standards and processes to be adopted by the suppliers as part of their project delivery approach. The concept of EIR has been developed by the UK BIM Task Group as a holistic framework for the UK construction industry to deliver the UK construction client requirements in projects using BIM. It includes a set of requirements and guidelines in three macro areas namely, technical, management and commercial. EIR, which are specific to the construction industry in Qatar, do not exist yet despite BIM is increasingly adopted across the Qatari construction industry. However, construction projects using BIM in Qatar adopts various aspects in technical, management and commercial areas. In this paper, we analyze the current BIM practice in Qatar and compare the findings against the items of the three EIR’s areas. The overarching aim is to assess the potential of delivering EIR in BIM based construction projects in Qatar. To accomplish this aim, major construction industry players (clients, consultants, contractors), representing a significant part of Qatar construction industry, were interviewed about the three EIR’s areas and their items. The results showed discrepancies in addressing EIR and varied levels of readiness in delivering the different EIR’s areas and items. The paper has proposed general guidelines for delivering EIR in Qatar which are informed by the survey and current international EIR standards.

Integrating Technologies for Demand Response in Blocks of Buildings - A UK Case Study

Flexibility in contemporary energy systems is predominantly delivered by fossil fuels. Low carbon energy services are required to avoid dangerous climate change, however, in the electricity sector, energy flows must be balanced instantaneously, and many renewable resources are either variable, uncertain or both. Demand Response (DR) enables consumers to play a significant role in the delivery of flexibility on the electric grid by reducing or shifting their electricity usage during periods of stress or constraint. The value of DR to blocks of buildings depends on the telemetry and control technologies in existing building management systems and the potential revenue sources. To encourage the growth of DR servicesO and reap the potential benefits, it is necessary to characterise the economic and environmental benefits of DR. The EU Horizon 2020 co-funded project ODemand Response in Blocks of BuildingsO (DR-BOB: www.dr-bob.eu) aims to do just that. This paper describes the technical approach taken by the DR-BOB project at its Teesside University site, focussing on the challenges encountered and the solutions proposed for this city centre campus. It updates previous work (Crosbie et al, 2016) that has described the broader principles and technologies being evaluated at four sites across Europe.

Principles and recommendations for client information requirements for BIM enabled construction projects in Qatar

Employers information requirements (EIR) is one of the key early documents in projects using building information modelling (BIM). EIR, introduced by the UK BIM Task Group, sets out information deliverables and the standards and processes to be adopted by the supply chain. It includes a set of requirements and guidelines in three areas namely technical, management and commercial. EIR, which are applicable to the construction industry in Qatar, are not clearly defined despite BIM is increasingly required on projects. This paper aims to develop a set of principles and recommendations for the three areas of the EIR which are applicable to Qatars construction sector. Following an investigation of current BIM practices in Qatar, a set of general principles and recommendations were proposed and validated for the areas of the client information requirements (CIR) - an adaption of the term EIR as evidenced in the paper.