Development of an Energy Management System for Smart Buildings in Order to Minimize Energy Cost and to Provide Flexibility

Abstract

Abstract: The demand for Energy Management Systems (EMSs) has grown significantly in the context of modern sustainable living. This thesis addresses this demand by developing and evaluating an innovative EMS within the HSB Living Lab. The primary goal of the developed EMS is to minimize operation cost of the building by optimal scheduling of devices and maximizing revenue from providing flexibility. The thesis commences with an introduction to the growing significance of energy management in the face of increasing energy demand and the urgency of sustainable energy utilization. It delves into the background of EMS, highlighting its potential to integrate renewable sources and controllable loads for efficient energy utilization. The research methodology involves the design and implementation of an EMS tailored for the HSB Living Lab environment. The system orchestrates Battery Energy Storage (BES), Electric Vehicles (EVs), and controllable loads to balance energy supply and demand as well as the heating provided by the combination of a Heat Pump (HP), district heating and a Hot Water Tank (HWT). Real-world data collected from the living lab contributes to the evaluation of the system’s performance. Results underscore the effectiveness of the EMS in achieving energy optimization objectives. Case studies on different days demonstrate the system’s adaptability to diverse conditions and its ability to harness renewable energy sources as well as the influence of the HP on the providing of flexibility. On the summer day, a cost reduction of 56.13 % is achieved with the provision of flexibility and still 15.51 % without. The sensitivity analysis performed shows the impact of compensation on the amount of flexibility provided. In conclusion, the developed EMS stands as a testament to the potential of smart technologies in revolutionizing energy management. By seamlessly integrating various energy resources and optimizing their consumption, the system reduces costs, increases energy efficiency, provides flexibility to the Distribution System Operator (DSO) and contributes to sustainability goals. This thesis contributes valuable insights into energy management and offers a practical blueprint for similar deployments in diverse settings.