Modeling and simulation of the heating circuit of a multi-functional building

Abstract

In this study, the fossil-fueled heating circuit and the corresponding automation system of a multi-functional building are simulated to lay the foundation for in-depth analysis and optimization of the building energy concept.The considered building is the E.ON Energy Research Center main building which is equipped with a highly integrated energy generation, storage and distribution system. The thermo-hydraulic components and control units are developed in the modeling language MODELICA whereas the relevant part of the global Building Automation System is implemented in MATLAB/SIMULINK. The interaction between the two simulation environments is established using the non-commercial co-simulation platform Building Controls Virtual Test Bed (BCVTB).Data stored in the comprehensive building monitoring system is used for the parametrization of the hydraulic model. Moreover, the data is analyzed to deduct information on the control system such as temperature set-points.Both the single subsystems and the model as a whole are validated by comparing simulation results to monitoring data. The evaluation reveals that the behavior of the hydraulic components and the control system is successfully reproduced and deviations remain in an acceptable range. The reasons for the deviations are identified and mitigation measures are discussed.