Decentralised peak energy demand minimisation in networks of buildings

Abstract Simultaneous peaks in the energy demand from networks of buildings can decrease system stability and increase operational costs. However, reducing these peaks can require complicated centralised control schemes. Here, taking inspiration from biological systems, we investigate a decentralised, building-to-building load coordination schema that requires very little information and no human intervention. Using agent-based modelling, we investigate both the optimal system size and robustness of the results to changes in the system parameters. It is found that substantial reductions are readily achieved through coordination between a small number of buildings, analogous to models of coordination between flocks of birds. Strikingly, the schema significantly outperforms existing techniques and is robust to varying network topology and the inclusion of large time-constrained thermal loads. These results imply that significant reductions in network peaks are achievable through simple low-cost controllers implemented at the building level; particularly important for developing countries with fragile networks.

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Optimising peak energy reduction in networks of buildings

10.21203/rs.3.rs-783568/v2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Anush Poghosyan ◽

Nick McCullen ◽

Sukumar Natarajan

Keyword(s):

Control Systems ◽

System Stability ◽

Mitigation Measures ◽

Optimal Size ◽

Coordination Networks ◽

System Parameters ◽

Electricity System ◽

Peak Energy ◽

Building Load ◽

Theoretical Results

Abstract Buildings are amongst the world's largest energy consumers and simultaneous peaks in demand from networks of buildings can decrease electricity system stability. Current mitigation measures either entail wasteful supply-side over-specification or complex centralised demand-side control. Here, we investigate a new schema for decentralised, self-organising building-to-building load coordination that requires very little information and no direct intervention. We find that the theoretically optimal size for load-coordination networks can be surprisingly small, analogous to other complex systems such as coordination between flocks of birds. The schema outperforms existing techniques, giving substantial peak-reductions as well as being remarkably robust to changes in other system parameters such as the network topology. This not only demonstrates that significant reductions in network peaks are achievable using remarkably simple control systems but also reveals theoretical results and new insights which which will be of great interest to the complexity and network science communities.

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Reducing Peak Energy Demand among Residents Who Are Not Billed for Their Electricity Consumption: Experimental Evaluation of Behaviour Change Interventions in a University Setting

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18168406 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (16) ◽

pp. 8406

Author(s):

Bradley S. Jorgensen ◽

Sarah Fumei ◽

Graeme Byrne

Keyword(s):

Energy Consumption ◽

Behaviour Change ◽

Energy Demand ◽

Energy Use ◽

Low Cost ◽

Effective Means ◽

Electricity Consumption ◽

Peak Demand ◽

Behaviour Change Interventions ◽

Peak Energy

Behaviour change interventions aiming to reduce household energy consumption are regarded as an effective means to address disparities between demand and supply and reduce emissions. Less recognised is their success in shifting consumers’ energy consumption from peak demand periods to off-peak times of the day. This study reports two experiments that test the effect of feedback and reminder notifications on energy consumption in university halls-of-residence. A quasi-experiment and a randomised controlled experiment were conducted with residential students to evaluate behaviour change interventions aimed at reducing daily peak and critical peak demand, respectively. The results of Experiment One (n = 143) demonstrated significant reductions in the energy use of the treatment group relative to the control. On average, the treatment group’s energy use was 12.4 per cent lower than their pre-intervention baseline. In Experiment Two (n = 88), normative elements of the intervention were supplemented with a reminder notification prior to the onset of the simulated critical peak demand period. The results showed that, relative to the control condition, the 8-h notification reduced demand by 20% on average with a 12% decrease for the 24-h notification (with 2-h follow-up). These results indicate that peak energy issues can be alleviated using low-cost and easily implemented behaviour change strategies.

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FEASIBILITY OF USING THERMAL INERTIA TO SHIFT THE PEAK ENERGY DEMAND OF BUILDINGS

10.1615/ihtc16.ecs.023992 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Xiaoqing Chen ◽

Hailong Li ◽

Xueqiang Li ◽

Yabo Wang ◽

Kai Zhu

Keyword(s):

Energy Demand ◽

Thermal Inertia ◽

Peak Energy

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IoT Platform for Energy Sustainability in University Campuses

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s21020357 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. 357

Author(s):

Pedro Moura ◽

José Ignacio Moreno ◽

Gregorio López López ◽

Manuel Alvarez-Campana

Keyword(s):

Energy Demand ◽

New Technologies ◽

Low Cost ◽

Sustainable Use ◽

High Energy ◽

Appropriate Technology ◽

Monitoring And Control ◽

Energy Sustainability ◽

University Campuses ◽

Iot Platform

University campuses are normally constituted of large buildings responsible for high energy demand, and are also important as demonstration sites for new technologies and systems. This paper presents the results of achieving energy sustainability in a testbed composed of a set of four buildings that constitute the Telecommunications Engineering School of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. In the paper, after characterizing the consumption of university buildings for a complete year, different options to achieve more sustainable use of energy are presented, considering the integration of renewable generation sources, namely photovoltaic generation, and monitoring and controlling electricity demand. To ensure the implementation of the desired monitoring and control, an internet of things (IoT) platform based on wireless sensor network (WSN) infrastructure was designed and installed. Such a platform supports a smart system to control the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and lighting systems in buildings. Furthermore, the paper presents the developed IoT-based platform, as well as the implemented services. As a result, the paper illustrates how providing old existing buildings with the appropriate technology can contribute to the objective of transforming such buildings into nearly zero-energy buildings (nZEB) at a low cost.

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An Agent-Based Crop Model Framework for Heterogeneous Soils

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11010085 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 85

Author(s):

Jorge Lopez-Jimenez ◽

Nicanor Quijano ◽

Alain Vande Wouwer

Keyword(s):

Growth Models ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Low Cost ◽

Soil Heterogeneity ◽

Crop Growth ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Model Framework ◽

Agent Based ◽

Crop Growth Models ◽

Definition Of

Climate change and the efficient use of freshwater for irrigation pose a challenge for sustainable agriculture. Traditionally, the prediction of agricultural production is carried out through crop-growth models and historical records of the climatic variables. However, one of the main flaws of these models is that they do not consider the variability of the soil throughout the cultivation area. In addition, with the availability of new information sources (i.e., aerial or satellite images) and low-cost meteorological stations, it is convenient that the models incorporate prediction capabilities to enhance the representation of production scenarios. In this work, an agent-based model (ABM) that considers the soil heterogeneity and water exchanges is proposed. Soil heterogeneity is associated to the combination of individual behaviours of uniform portions of land (agents), while water fluxes are related to the topography. Each agent is characterized by an individual dynamic model, which describes the local crop growth. Moreover, this model considers positive and negative effects of water level, i.e., drought and waterlogging, on the biomass production. The development of the global ABM is oriented to the future use of control strategies and optimal irrigation policies. The model is built bottom-up starting with the definition of agents, and the Python environment Mesa is chosen for the implementation. The validation is carried out using three topographic scenarios in Colombia. Results of potential production cases are discussed, and some practical recommendations on the implementation are presented.

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Optimisation of HVAC control and manufacturing schedules for the reduction of peak energy demand in the manufacturing sector

Energy ◽

10.1016/j.energy.2021.120436 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 227 ◽

pp. 120436

Author(s):

Victoria Jayne Mawson ◽

Ben Richard Hughes

Keyword(s):

Energy Demand ◽

Manufacturing Sector ◽

Peak Energy ◽

Hvac Control

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Thermal performance assessment of encapsulated PCM based thermal management system to reduce peak energy demand in buildings

Energy and Buildings ◽

10.1016/j.enbuild.2016.01.042 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 117 ◽

pp. 44-52 ◽

Cited By ~ 48

Author(s):

V.V. Tyagi ◽

A.K. Pandey ◽

D. Buddhi ◽

Richa Kothari

Keyword(s):

Performance Assessment ◽

Thermal Management ◽

Thermal Performance ◽

Management System ◽

Energy Demand ◽

Thermal Management System ◽

Peak Energy

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A HIGH-RESOLUTION 2D IMAGING LASER RADAR FOR OCCLUDED HARD TARGET VIEWING AND IDENTIFICATION

International Journal of High Speed Electronics and Systems ◽

10.1142/s0129156408005424 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 18 (02) ◽

pp. 393-400 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

ROBERT J. GRASSO ◽

JOHN C. WIKMAN ◽

DAVID P. DROUIN ◽

GEORGE F. DIPPEL ◽

PAUL I. EGBERT

Keyword(s):

High Resolution ◽

Target Identification ◽

Low Cost ◽

System Size ◽

Operating Conditions ◽

Array Technology ◽

Diode Pumped ◽

Target Ranging ◽

2D Imaging ◽

Gated Imaging

BAE SYSTEMS has developed a Low Cost Targeting System (LCTS) consisting of a FLIR for target detection, laser-illuminated, gated imaging for target identification, laser rangefinder and designator, GPS positioning, and auto-tracking capability within a small compact system size. The system is based upon BAE Systems proven micro-bolometer passive LWIR camera coupled with Intevac's new EBAPS camera. A dual wavelength diode pumped laser provides eyesafe ranging and target illumination, as well as designation; a custom detector module senses the return pulse for target ranging and to set the range gates for the gated camera. Trials show that the current detectors offer complete extinction of signals outside of the gated range, thus, providing high resolution within the gated region. The images have shown high spatial resolution arising from the use of solid state focal plane array technology. Imagery has been collected in both the laboratory and the field to verify system performance during a variety of operating conditions.

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Frequency and inertia response effects, capabilities, and possibilities in renewable energy sources

Recent Advances in Computer Science and Communications ◽

10.2174/2666255814666210121155533 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 ◽

Author(s):

Jishu Mary Gomez ◽

Prabhakar Karthikeyan Shanmugam

Keyword(s):

Renewable Energy ◽

Power System ◽

Frequency Control ◽

Renewable Energy Sources ◽

Energy Systems ◽

Load Shedding ◽

System Stability ◽

Frequency Regulation ◽

Control Schemes ◽

Inertia Response

Background & Objectives: The global power system is in a state of continuous evolution, incorporating more and more renewable energy systems. The converter-based systems are void of inherent inertia control behavior and are unable to curb minor frequency deviations. The traditional power system, on the other hand, is made up majorly of synchronous generators that have their inertia and governor response for frequency control. For improved inertial and primary frequency response, the existing frequency control methods need to be modified and an additional power reserve is to be maintained mandatorily for this purpose. Energy self-sufficient renewable distributed generator systems can be made possible through optimum active power control techniques. Also, when major global blackouts were analyzed for causes, solutions, and precautions, load shedding techniques were found to be a useful tool to prevent frequency collapse due to power imbalances. The pre-existing load shedding techniques were designed for traditional power systems and were tuned to eliminate low inertia generators as the first step to system stability restoration. To incorporate emerging energy possibilities, the changes in the mixed power system must be addressed and new frequency control capabilities of these systems must be researched. Discussion: In this paper, the power reserve control schemes that enable frequency regulation in the widely incorporated solar photovoltaic and wind turbine generating systems are discussed. Techniques for Under Frequency Load Shedding (UFLS) that can be effectively implemented in renewable energy enabled micro-grid environment for frequency regulation are also briefly discussed. The paper intends to study frequency control schemes and technologies that promote the development of self- sustaining micro-grids. Conclusion: The area of renewable energy research is fast emerging with immense scope for future developments. The comprehensive literature study confirms the possibilities of frequency and inertia response enhancement through optimum energy conservation and control of distributed energy systems.

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