Publications
2017
Li, Xiwang; Wen, Jin
Net-zero energy building clusters emulator for energy planning and operation evaluation Journal Article
In: Computers, Environment and Urban Systems, vol. 62, pp. 168-181, 2017, ISSN: 0198-9715.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Co-simulation, Distributed energy systems, Net-zero building cluster, Net-zero buildings, Smart grids
@article{LI2017168,
title = {Net-zero energy building clusters emulator for energy planning and operation evaluation},
author = {Xiwang Li and Jin Wen},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0198971516302678},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compenvurbsys.2016.09.007},
issn = {0198-9715},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-01-01},
journal = {Computers, Environment and Urban Systems},
volume = {62},
pages = {168-181},
abstract = {The emergence of smart grids, Net-zero energy buildings, and advanced building energy demand response technologies continuously drives the needs for better design and operation strategies for buildings and distributed energy systems. It is envisioned that similar to micro-communities in a human society, neighboring buildings will have the tendency to form a building cluster, an open cyber-physical system to exploit the economic opportunities provided by smart grids and distributed energy systems. To realize this building cluster envision, it requires better urban energy planning and operation control strategies to determine which type of buildings should be clustered and what operation strategies should be implemented to fully utilize the potential in load aggregation, load shifting, and resource allocation. However, most of the current tools are focusing on single buildings or devices, which are not suitable for building cluster studies. To this end, this study proposes to develop a Net-zero building cluster emulator that can simulate realistic energy behaviors of a cluster of buildings and their distributed energy devices as well as exchange operation data and control schemes with real-world building control systems. The developed emulator has the flexibility to integrate with different buildings and distributed energy systems to study the performance of this building cluster to propose suggestions in urban energy planning and operation. To show the application of this emulator, a proof-of-concept demonstration is also presented in this paper.},
keywords = {Co-simulation, Distributed energy systems, Net-zero building cluster, Net-zero buildings, Smart grids},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The emergence of smart grids, Net-zero energy buildings, and advanced building energy demand response technologies continuously drives the needs for better design and operation strategies for buildings and distributed energy systems. It is envisioned that similar to micro-communities in a human society, neighboring buildings will have the tendency to form a building cluster, an open cyber-physical system to exploit the economic opportunities provided by smart grids and distributed energy systems. To realize this building cluster envision, it requires better urban energy planning and operation control strategies to determine which type of buildings should be clustered and what operation strategies should be implemented to fully utilize the potential in load aggregation, load shifting, and resource allocation. However, most of the current tools are focusing on single buildings or devices, which are not suitable for building cluster studies. To this end, this study proposes to develop a Net-zero building cluster emulator that can simulate realistic energy behaviors of a cluster of buildings and their distributed energy devices as well as exchange operation data and control schemes with real-world building control systems. The developed emulator has the flexibility to integrate with different buildings and distributed energy systems to study the performance of this building cluster to propose suggestions in urban energy planning and operation. To show the application of this emulator, a proof-of-concept demonstration is also presented in this paper.
2016
Langevin, Jared; Wen, Jin; Gurian, Patrick L.
Quantifying the human–building interaction: Considering the active, adaptive occupant in building performance simulation Journal Article
In: Energy and Buildings, vol. 117, pp. 372-386, 2016, ISSN: 0378-7788.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Agent-based modeling, Building performance modeling, Co-simulation, Occupant behavior, Thermal comfort
@article{LANGEVIN2016372,
title = {Quantifying the human–building interaction: Considering the active, adaptive occupant in building performance simulation},
author = {Jared Langevin and Jin Wen and Patrick L. Gurian},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S037877881530267X},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2015.09.026},
issn = {0378-7788},
year = {2016},
date = {2016-01-01},
journal = {Energy and Buildings},
volume = {117},
pages = {372-386},
abstract = {This paper introduces a Human and Building Interaction Toolkit (HABIT) for simulating the thermally adaptive behaviors and comfort of office occupants alongside building energy consumption. The toolkit uses the Building Controls Virtual Test Bed (BCVTB) to co-simulate a field-tested, agent-based behavior model with an EnergyPlus medium office model. The usefulness of the toolkit is demonstrated through a series of zone and building-level case study simulations that examine the wisdom of pairing local heating and cooling options with strategic thermostat set point offsets, judging from the energy, Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), and cost perspectives. Results generally suggest that trading efficient local heating/cooling options for whole space conditioning has both energy and comfort benefits, saving up to 28% of monthly HVAC energy while improving the acceptability of thermal conditions in a Philadelphia climate. Nevertheless, cost analysis shows that the fuel source of conserved energy must be considered – particularly in the case of personal heater use, which adds to electric plug loads and associated utility and CO2 emissions cost penalties. Moreover, costs from even small changes in simulated occupant productivity tend to overwhelm energy costs, suggesting the need to improve the accuracy and precision of available productivity models across multiple seasons and climates.},
keywords = {Agent-based modeling, Building performance modeling, Co-simulation, Occupant behavior, Thermal comfort},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
This paper introduces a Human and Building Interaction Toolkit (HABIT) for simulating the thermally adaptive behaviors and comfort of office occupants alongside building energy consumption. The toolkit uses the Building Controls Virtual Test Bed (BCVTB) to co-simulate a field-tested, agent-based behavior model with an EnergyPlus medium office model. The usefulness of the toolkit is demonstrated through a series of zone and building-level case study simulations that examine the wisdom of pairing local heating and cooling options with strategic thermostat set point offsets, judging from the energy, Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), and cost perspectives. Results generally suggest that trading efficient local heating/cooling options for whole space conditioning has both energy and comfort benefits, saving up to 28% of monthly HVAC energy while improving the acceptability of thermal conditions in a Philadelphia climate. Nevertheless, cost analysis shows that the fuel source of conserved energy must be considered – particularly in the case of personal heater use, which adds to electric plug loads and associated utility and CO2 emissions cost penalties. Moreover, costs from even small changes in simulated occupant productivity tend to overwhelm energy costs, suggesting the need to improve the accuracy and precision of available productivity models across multiple seasons and climates.