Optimisation of Energy Efficiency of automated indoor climate systems by using weather forecasts
Using current weather information, such as outdoor temperature, to control heating and air conditioning in buildings has become standard procedure in building services engineering. However, only few facilities also use weather forecasts for controlling the indoor climate, even though this can help existing systems optimise their energy efficiency and consequently save energy and reduce CO2 emissions relatively easily and inexpensively.
Together with the Austrian Institute of Technology,
UBIMET analyses the basic energy savings potential for buildings in commercial use by including weather forecasts as a variable. The magnitude of the savings potential (in the form of saved energy, cost and CO2 equivalent) will also be estimated. In doing so, the savings potential will be separated into savings with reference to forecast quality and savings owing to the geographical position. For the investigation, AIT research will carry out thermodynamic building simulations for a test building in different regions of Austria. From the results, index numbers will be derived, quantifying the significance of the factors in terms of energy savings potential.
In addition to the general question whether there is a savings potential at all, the topic of integrating the weather forecasts into the building automation is of interest. A fundamental part of this integration is the interface between existing control systems and forecast information from weather service providers. Within the scope of the study, a detailed analysis of technological possibilities, including both hardware and software, will be conducted. In collaboration with ee-consult,
UBIMET will research the market potential, consulting suppliers of building automation systems, and define and create the requirements for an universal software interface. The goal of the study is to develop a conclusive integration concept that provides a representation of the complete process chain, from weather service provider to telematic control components.
Partners:
Austrian Institute of Technology, Department Energy - Sustainable Building Technologies
ee-consult Ing. Emanuel Gstach
Duration: 1 June 2009 to 28 February 2011
Funded by: Federal Ministry of Traffic, Innovation and Technology, programme "House of the Future Plus"
pdf: projekt_uebersicht_engl.pdf
