An Analytical Model for the Impact of Building Control and Automation Upgrade on Space Heating Energy Efficiency

Abstract

Intelligent building management systems are proven to lead to energy savings and are an integral component of smart buildings. The procedures developed in the EN standards describe the methodology for calculating the energy savings achieved by improving the automation and control levels of separate services in building systems. However, although this method is used in practice, it is rarely applied or investigated by the research community. Typically, energy savings resulting from a single automation improvement intervention in a building heating system are observed, while the holistic view of combined automation upgrades is not considered. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the energy savings resulting from several upgrades to control levels in the heating system components of the building. In addition, this research provides a rationale for the impact of multiple automation and control options for heating systems as well as examines the difference in energy savings. Finally, an analytical model is developed and demonstrated to assess the feasibility of building automation and control upgrades, by determining the allowed investment according to a set of predefined indicators.

A Methodology for Designing an Automated System to Improve the Thermal Performance of a Large Building in Operation

“…Additionally, the concept of "smartness in the built environment" is emerging in the retrofitting of buildings, seeking to attain greater sustainability, efficiency, automation, and adaptability through "real-time interaction" [8]. Within this context, specific research areas that pose contemporary challenges include environmental and structural performance assessment [9], real-time plug load identification [10], energy efficiency [11], indoor thermal comfort [12] and, in connection with this, the IAQ monitoring systems [13]. Moreover, the application of IoT-enabled optimal control for HVAC systems is being implemented [14], incorporating design considerations such as occupant behaviour, building typology, and cost functions in relation to modelling approaches and optimisation algorithms [15].…”

“…In this respect, EN ISO 52120-1:2022 [28] and the previous, recently repealed, EN-15232-1 [29] have introduced a specific methodology for energy savings through the concept of TBM functions [30]. Many studies demonstrate this process improvement, such as [25], which calculates the discounted payback period; [31], which includes a BAC audit tool; [32], which calculates the lighting systems; and [11], which evaluates the savings of the heating systems. Nevertheless, some research has concluded that this method does not provide a reliable estimate of achievable energy savings because it does not take into account other factors, such as building and installation design parameters (e.g., type, dimensions, envelope, air exchanges, settings) and contextual factors (e.g., occupant behaviour, climate zone, latitude, and orientation) [33].…”