Development and Application of a Platform for Optimising Heating System Operation Based on the Building User’s Temperature Perception
Andre Beblek (),
Florian Felix Sehr,
Viktor Grinewitschus,
Carolin Baedeker and
Aaron Immanuel Wolber
Additional contact information
Andre Beblek: EBZ Business School, University of Applied Sciences, 44795 Bochum, Germany
Florian Felix Sehr: EBZ Business School, University of Applied Sciences, 44795 Bochum, Germany
Viktor Grinewitschus: EBZ Business School, University of Applied Sciences, 44795 Bochum, Germany
Carolin Baedeker: Research Unit Innovation Labs, Division Sustainable Production and Consumption, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment, and Energy, 42103 Wuppertal, Germany
Aaron Immanuel Wolber: iBG Inbestergesellschaft GmbH, 50672 Köln, Germany
Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-23
Abstract:
The energy challenges of overcoming climate change and economic and global political crises require not only the increased integration of renewable energies but also an optimisation of energy generation and use and, as a result, a reduction in energy consumption in various sectors. Thermal energy consumption in buildings in particular accounts for a significant proportion of final energy consumption. With respect to commercial buildings, a central problem in optimising the system settings is the lack of or only limited information about the actual room temperatures as well as the comfort requirements and temperature perception of the users in the rooms on the one hand and the operational management and settings specified by the facility management, for example, the heating curves of the heating circuits, on the other. The aim here is to create a bidirectional flow of data and information so that the compromise between the necessary room temperatures and the comfort of the users and the most energy-efficient operational management possible can be achieved. In this context, the paper presents a developed and tested web platform that makes it possible to optimise the operation of the system technology, particularly the heating system in the building, from an energy point of view and to involve the building user (e.g., office employees) and to pass on information to the facility management, thus pursuing a holistic approach. In the associated Living Lab project (called ComfortLab), it was possible to obtain over 6500 votes on temperature perception and combine this with building operation and the parameters relevant to facility management. This made it possible to bridge the gap between user requirements and room temperatures on the one hand and energy consumption and the inlet temperature of the heating system and supply circuits on the other. The use of the platform makes it possible to optimise the setpoint specification, specifically the inlet temperature of individual heating circuits, considering both regular building operation at times of presence and the setting of weekend and night setback times. The results show a diversified picture regarding temperature perception and possible room temperature reductions of several degrees Celsius and energy savings in the double-digit percentage range.
Keywords: occupant-centric controls; building control; heating systems; building automation; energy efficiency; feedback systems; heating energy; facility management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:17:p:4468-:d:1472344
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