|
Title:
|
|
Computerised intelligence in small scale home networks and beyond : opportunities for energy efficiency
|
|
|
|
Author(s):
|
|
|
|
|
|
Published by:
|
Publication date:
|
|
ECN
Energy in the Built Environment
|
1-11-2001
|
|
|
|
ECN report number:
|
Document type:
|
|
ECN-I--01-005
|
Other
|
|
|
|
Number of pages:
|
Full text:
|
|
92
|
Download PDF
|
Abstract:
In this report the possibility of realising smart applications usingmodern information and communication technologies on the residential
scale is investigated from a number of viewpoints.
The first viewpoint is a technological one emphasising the electronic
hardware. Various possible processor and network architectures are discussed
and connection schemes and protocols are presented to establish a platform
for intelligent software applications in residential buildings.
The second viewpoint concerns the software architecture. Using three
different types of applications, requirements are defined and functional
roles are attributed to individual sub-processes in the software. Current
developments in standardising this software architecture, especially
using residential gateways, are also discussed.
The largest energy saving potential of using intelligent technology
in buildings is in the control strategy of the combined air ventilation
and heating system. Several scenarios are studied using a prototype
comfort management system, in which thermal comfort is dynamically optimised
against
energy prices, which vary over time. Fanger?s composite comfort index
is used to measure comfort.
From a hardware point of view the individual components and nodes in
the network have reached a mature implementation stage. A consistent
interconnection architecture, based on standard Internet technology,
is currently evolving. Current pricing levels of the technology at the
moment hinder implementation on a wider scale.
From a software-architectural point of view current standardisation
efforts are leading to a transparent, portable platform for a number
of application types. With the advent of an increasing number of always-on,
broadband Internet connections to homes, computational resource demanding
energy management applications wil1 be more easy to realise using distributed
computing capacity.
From the comfort management strategy calculations a consistent picture
of a clear, lifestyle, dependent, cost and energy usage reduction benefit
of 10-30 percent can be derived. A similar benefit can be found for
utility buildings.
Back to List