A Demand-Response integrated solution for HVAC units in office buildings application

Abstract

Building energy consumption has been declared as an untapped energy source, accounting for 40% of energy consumption worldwide. In this paper, in order to decrease power consumption in an office building aiming at peak reduction a Demand Response solution is proposed integrated in a real building pilot site. Consumption profiling, day-ahead forecasting as long as various feedback techniques were implemented taking into consideration occupant thermal comfort aspects. To make the framework more accurate, various variables have been considered, such as weather forecast, along with environmental conditions (in- and outdoor temperature), occupancy and thermal comfort patterns, space occupancy and current operation of the system. A real-life demonstration of the proposed system was implemented in a commercial building in Thessaloniki Greece, integrating field equipment for real-time monitoring and control of several offices. Preliminary field test results of the working framework are included in this work.