Energy Management Tools Research Articles

A Fuzzy-Based Building Energy Management System for Energy Efficiency

Information and communication technologies (ICT) offer immense potential to improve the energetic performance of buildings. Additionally, common building control systems are typically based on simple decision-making tools, which possess the ability to obtain controllable parameters for indoor temperatures. Nevertheless, the accuracy of such common building control systems is improvable with the integration of advanced decision-making techniques embedded into software and energy management tools. This paper presents the design of a building energy management system (BEMS), which is currently under development, and that makes use of artificial intelligence for the automated decision-making process required for optimal comfort of occupants and utilization of renewables for achieving energy-efficiency in buildings. The research falls under the scope of the H2020 project BREASER which implements fuzzy logic with the aim of governing the energy resources of a school in Turkey, which has been renovated with a ventilated façade with integrated renewable energy sources (RES). The BRESAER BEMS includes prediction techniques that increase the accuracy of common BEMS tools, and subsequent energy savings, while ensuring the indoor thermal comfort of the building occupants. In particular, weather forecast and simulation strategies are integrated into the functionalities of the overall system. By collecting the aforementioned information, the BEMS makes decisions according to a well-established selection of key performance indicators (KPIs) with the objective of providing a quantitative comparable value to determine new actuation parameters.

改修段階のエネルギーマネジメントにおけるLCEM(ライフサイクルエネルギーマネジメント)ツールの活用

改修段階のエネルギーマネジメントにおけるLCEM(ライフサイクルエネルギーマネジメント)ツールの活用

Probabilistic Dispatch of Remote Hybrid Microgrids Including Battery Storage and Load Management

This paper presents a probabilistic economic dispatch tool for energy management (EM) studies in the context of remote hybrid ac/dc microgrids (MGs). An EM approach is proposed to ensure a reliable power supply at the minimum cost of the hybrid MG operation. A comprehensive operational framework is presented, which considers topological features of the hybrid MG and the interlinking converter between ac and dc subsections. Approach and models are tested using several operating scenarios referred to a test hybrid MG system. In the analyses, the opportunity of integrating battery energy storage and energy demand management in the EM scheme is investigated. The results of the analyses demonstrate the effectiveness and practicality of the optimization tool in different operation contexts.

Towards Intelligent Thermal Energy Management of Eco-industrial Park through Ontology-based Approach

An ontology-based approach for thermal energy management of eco-industrial park is proposed in this paper. The ontology captures core concepts of this domain as well as the relationships between them; together with instances, the ontology can serve as knowledge base for related energy management tools. The development of this application ontology is based on existing knowledge base, e.g. OntoCAPE in this paper. The advantages of ontology-based approach are shown by an application case, the case shows how ontology can overcome data heterogeneity both structurally and semantically through its own reasoning ability, then allow intelligent decision making by using disparate data from remote databases, which implies the possibility of self-optimization without human intervention in the future scenario. With properly designed cyber-infrastructure systems, the prospective application of the ontology-based approach can unleash the potential of artificial intelligence for eco-industrial park thermal energy management in the future.

Improving Heat Exchanger Network Design of a Revamped Chemical Plant

Pinch analysis has been known as one of the tools for smart energy management. This technique has successfully been applied in more than three decades in various industries. Here, the purpose of this study was to describe how to use pinch analysis for improving heat exchanger network design of a revamped chemical plant. In a revamping project of a chemical plant, the pinch analysis is applied to find a better design. The analysis reveals that the revamped case can be further improved to achieve more energy saving. This is done by applying one of the golden rules in pinch analysis, which is not to transfer heat across the pinch. The proposed solution is rather simple and straightforward, leading to only few months of payback period and 165 k€ per annual saving.

The impact of advanced metering infrastructure on energy conservation: A case study of two utilities

An analysis of the potential of energy management tools enabled by advanced metering infrastructure to induce energy conservation behavior among customers of two utilities suggests that EMTs empower individual residential customers to have a more thorough understanding of their electricity consumption. This is encouraging news at a time that many U.S. states are developing climate action plans with aggressive targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Carbon footprint analysis as a tool for energy and environmental management in small and medium-sized enterprises

ABSTRACTThe reduction of carbon emissions has become a top priority in the decision-making process for governments and companies, the strict European legislation framework being a major driving force behind this effort. On the other hand, many companies face difficulties in estimating their footprint and in linking the results derived from environmental evaluation processes with an integrated energy management strategy, which will eventually lead to energy-efficient and cost-effective solutions. The paper highlights the need of companies to establish integrated environmental management practices, with tools such as carbon footprint analysis to monitor the energy performance of production processes. Concepts and methods are analysed, and selected indicators are presented by means of benchmarking, monitoring and reporting the results in order to be used effectively from the companies. The study is based on data from more than 90 Greek small and medium enterprises, followed by a comprehensive discussion of cost-effective and realistic energy-saving measures.

Assessment of the Social Electricity Online Platform Tools and their Potential Impact on European Citizens

Through the Social Electricity Online Platform (SEOP) European project, various learning modules, educational content and online eco-feedback platforms have been developed, to raise the awareness and knowledge of citizens about energy, the environment and sustainability. The platform allows European citizens to become educated on energy-saving practices and techniques, including the use of renewable technologies at their home. Moreover, through the Social Electricity application, people may become aware of their electrical energy consumption by means of comparisons with the corresponding electrical consumption of their friends, as well as with the total consumption in the street, neighbourhood, village, city and country where they live, in a collaborative and social environment. In this paper, a pilot study performed in 8 European countries involving more than 300 European citizens is presented, in order to demonstrate the influence of online learning modules and eco-feedback platforms on the everyday lives of people, in terms of rational energy use and energy savings. In this pilot, participants have been divided into two groups: the one uses the four learning modules of the platform and then the Social Electricity application, whereas the latter uses only the application. This paper describes our overall findings after three months, exploring the completeness and educational value of the learning modules, and the potential of Social Electricity as an effective online tool for personal energy management. The results also evaluate the impact, behavioural change and the increase on energy awareness among the two groups, as well as the general effectiveness and acceptance of the platform.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.sace.16.3.15803

Energy Intensity As An Environmental And Energy Management Tool In Foundries In The Federation Of Bosnia And Herzegovina

Energy Intensity As An Environmental And Energy Management Tool In Foundries In The Federation Of Bosnia And Herzegovina

Системное моделирование как метод анализа эффективности управления энергосбережением в строительном комплексе

Системное моделирование как метод анализа эффективности управления энергосбережением в строительном комплексе

Sunlight to hydrogen conversion: Design optimization and energy management of concentrated photovoltaic (CPV-Hydrogen) system using micro genetic algorithm

Owing to the intermittent solar irradiance from cloud cover in the diurnal period and unavailability at night time, the practical design of a solar system requires energy backup storage for an uninterrupted supply or for off-grid operation. However, for highly efficient CPV (concentrated photovoltaic) system, the literature is lacking for energy management and optimization algorithm and tool for standalone operation. In this paper, a system with CPV and electrolyser is presented where beam irradiance of sunlight is harnessed to convert the instantaneously generated electricity into useful Hydrogen/Oxygen gas, where they can be stored and re-used for downstream applications such as the fuel cells, etc. The multi-variable design and multi-objective optimization strategies are proposed and presented for a standalone operation of the CPV-Hydrogen system as well as their system performances, particularly electrical rating of CPV based upon the real weather data of Singapore.

Modeling of an Integrated Energy Efficient Conveyor System Model using Belt Loading Dynamics

Objectives: From an industry specific perspective, there is continuous pressure on manufacturing companies to reduce the operating expenditure by reducing the electricity cost by developing the energy efficient equipment and products especially conveyor systems. Methods/Statistical Analysis: Conveyor belts are the material handling equipment that is widely used in industry to move the material from the one place to another or from one process to next process. Conveyors are generally driven with electric motors. Conveyor systems are the one of the major consumers of electricity industries, which consumes up to 40% electricity of the total operating cost, while the remaining 60% is due to operational costs and maintenance. Findings: In this work, efficiency of a conveyor system is evaluated by integrating all the factors that have an influence on the electricity costs of the conveyor system. Using variable speed drive mechanism, an energy efficient conveyor system is developed by physically modeling the speed of the belt and conveyor loading dynamics mechanism under no load, marginally loaded and full loaded conditions. For the energy efficient conveyor system, different start-up of conveyor methods are evaluated as a baseline reason of generating the motor torque in comparison to rated voltage as an optimal energy management tool to develop a relationship across the power consumption, conveyor belt speed and belt loading dynamics. Application/Improvements: The design of energy efficient conveyor system model by controlling multiple drive units in industrial units.

Construction Materials and Green Building Certification

Sustainable building management is a complex problem which needs effective, adequate and suitable assessment tools and methods to address issues of incommensurability and complexity, always considering the prevailing environmental policies and legislation. Within the frame of this paper, green certifications building schemes have been described, compared to each other and evaluated, against the background of the standards provided by the International Organization for Standardization. Emphasis have been placed on information referring to construction materials environmental evaluation based on the Life Cycle Analysis methodology and the role of construction materials selection to green building certification schemes. Finally, the impact of green certification schemes on the construction market, mainly as a tool of energy management, has also been examined in relation to the absence of mandatory international standardization in sustainable building management.

Using a utility system grey-box model as a support tool for progressive energy management and automation of buildings

The research presented here is focused on improving energy management in a building complex through analytical and empirical modelling of its utilities. First, we introduce current European policy on energy savings in buildings. The modelling starts with a literature review and a thorough study on a heating and cooling system of a particular building complex—the National Theatre in Prague, Czech Republic. Standard building automation and control systems cannot optimize the building’s operations to the fullest and thus do not provide the best cost savings possible. A mathematical model of the energy system and its integration into a building control system is an essential prerequisite for any optimization here. The development of a model which can be integrated into a control system during real-time operation of the building is a very complicated task. Our paper presents a procedure to develop such a model and methods to apply it in a real-life operation. First, the mathematical model is implemented in a simulation tool, which enables an efficiency evaluation of the system. This simulation tool offers especially important support for building automation and control systems when deciding the most effective operation of heat or cold utilities. The model greatly helps in monitoring and optimizing daily offtake limits for natural gas, which is highly appreciated by the building’s technical management. Our practical applications of the model show new possibilities for simulation and optimization calculations which are completely unique in building management systems so far.

The Malaysian Energy Scenario and the Need for a SCADA System

There is a need to ensure efficient utilization and diversification of energy sources while minimizing its waste. The electrical energy consumption in Malaysia has increased sharply in the past few years, and modern energy-efficient technologies are desperately needed for the national energy policy. The development of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems is essential to ensure smooth operation of any energy system. This article outlines the present status of energy utilization in Malaysia and introduces the SCADA system as one of the promising energy management tools for the future.

Potential of building automation system towards efficient energy management of healthcare buildings

An energy management tool in a form of a contour chart of building automation system (BAS) data was presented to assist a healthcare building in monitoring the air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation (ACMV) energy performance. The contour charts were interpreted using a diagnostic guide based on a qualitative model-based fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) method. Rule-based technique was applied on zone temperature data in order to extract the estimated air handling unit (AHU) fan-extended-hours. The AHUs' estimated fan-extended-hours and zone temperature averages represented the measured BAS faults. An eQuest energy model incorporating the faults was calibrated to an energy consumption of 5,757,600 kWh/year with mean bias error (MBE) = 2.83% and coefficient of variation (root mean squared error) CV(RMSE) = 1.82%. Using the calibrated model, building energy performance simulation (BEPS) indicated a conservative potential saving of 400,200 kWh/year (6.95%) by simulating fault-free BAS zone temperature control and fan shutdown.

Tools to support sustainable entrepreneurship in energy positive neighbourhoods

In an Energy Positive Neighbourhood (EPN) the annual energy demand is lower than annual energy supply from local renewable energy sources. Short-term imbalances in energy supply and demand are corrected with national energy supplies. In this paper the early stages of the development - the specifications - of the tools for intelligent management of energy positive neighbourhoods are presented. These tools include an energy management tool for real-time management of the energy flows, user interfaces that support energy efficient behavior of the users in the neighbourhood and an urban planning decision support tool. The specifications and tools are the result of European co-operation, and are designed so that they can easily be adopted in different European countries with minimum changes.

System analysis of the energy complex of engineering enterprise as a basic tool of effective energy management

Approaches to system analysis of difficult energy objects of the machine building enterprise and its energy complex as a whole are considered. The role of system researches in the general structure of energy management of the enterprise is analyzed. Recommendations for choice of efficiency indicators and methods of revealing of technically recoverable losses of energy resources are offered.

Strategic energy management in energy-intensive enterprises: a quantitative analysis of relevant factors in the Austrian paper and pulp industry

Increasing energy prices and market volatilities force energy intensive industries to implement energy management systems in order to ensure competitiveness. In this paper, we focus on the strategic level of energy management, specifically, on the analysis of the internal and external conditions that form the basis for strategic development. For this, we selected the case of the Austrian paper and pulp industry. We applied a hybrid method by combining an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats with an analytic hierarchy process which was based on a survey of expert opinion. The results show that cost-related factors predominate. According to our analysis, the four most important factors are all directly linked to energy costs, energy efficiency, and the energy market. Experts pay little attention to environmental issues or to energy market volatilities. Apart from that, the combination of an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats with an analytic hierarchy process promises to be a valuable tool for strategic energy management. This is especially true for energy intensive companies and/or sectors, since it enables decision makers to take strategic decisions based on a systematic understanding of the main issues.

Simultaneous optimization of the cavity heat load and trip rates in linacs using a genetic algorithm

In this paper, a genetic algorithm-based optimization is used to simultaneously minimize two competing objectives guiding the operation of the Jefferson Lab's Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility linacs: cavity heat load and radio frequency cavity trip rates. The results represent a significant improvement to the standard linac energy management tool and thereby could lead to a more efficient Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility configuration. This study also serves as a proof of principle of how a genetic algorithm can be used for optimizing other linac-based machines.