Virtual energy platform for low energy building operations

Abstract

In this research, a new Virtual Energy Platform is proposed to represent a new and affordable ICT platform for energy-intensive systems for low energy building operations targeting: (1) design and simulation of energy use profiles addressing energy-intensive systems, building equipments, and services, (2) intelligent and interactive management of energy consumptions via intelligent metering, monitoring and control, and (3) innovative tools for energy efficiency service provision providing continuous and accurate information to end-users and decision makers. The proposed system architecture is composed of three integrated layers: (1) data, (2) information, and (3) tool layers. For physical applications: (1) integrated design tools, (2) energy simulation tools, (3) wireless sensors and actuators, (4) wireless sensor networks, (5) middleware technologies, (6) data warehouse technologies, (7) artificial intelligence based control systems and (8) monitoring tools are addressed. The system architecture is implemented as an extension to international standards (e.g. IFC 2_3 ISO/PAS 16730). The proposed system is tested in a demonstration test-bed in Hannover, Germany.