Researchers from the University of Adelaide have developed a method to reduce the energy use of commercial buildings.
The method uses modelling to predict temperature changes within a building. Using public weather forecast information and data from existing building management systems (BMS), the researchers have developed an intelligent model that keeps one step ahead of the building’s temperature changes, automatically adjusting the heating and cooling supply accordingly.
Experimental results to date have shown at least 10 per cent energy savings are possible.
“In air-conditioned commercial buildings, the heating, cooling and ventilation systems respond to temperature changes within the building, passively,” according to Hao Huang, Ph.D. candidate in the School of Mechanical Engineering.
“Our model can be used to keep ahead of those temperature changes, making adjustments to keep the building at a comfortable temperature without wasting energy in temperature overshoots,” he said.
Huang and supervisor Dr Lei Chen, senior lecturer in the School of Mechanical Engineering are part of the University’s Centre for Energy Technology (CET).
They are working with Adelaide Airport Limited (AAL) to obtain experimental data as part of a three-year clean energy partnership.