Periodic Reporting for period 2 - E-DYCE (Energy flexible DYnamic building CErtification)
Reporting period: 2022-03-01 to 2023-08-31
In the European Union (EU),the building sector is estimated to be responsible for approximately 40% of the total energy end-usage. Moreover, it is estimated that 97% of the existing buildings in the EU must be renovated to achieve the 2050 environmental goals. To a high extend this estimation is based on the energy performance certificates (EPC) issued so far in the different EU Member States (MS). An EPC results from several calculations made by an expert to estimate a building’s energy usage and efficiency. These calculations are based on different measurements, assumptions, and standards depending on the country where the building is located. The objective behind these certificates is to raise awareness of energy efficiency among the owners and tenants, promote the refurbishment of the building, and assess the overall country building stock. Even though the EPCs are promising and well anchored in the MS, they usually show a significant difference between the measured and estimated energy usage because they are based on static calculations that are not able to reflect dynamic nature of real building use, occupants in the building and boundary condition. This difference is known as the performance gap and has been studied in several EU countries already. To solve this issue, one of the proposed solutions is the use of more dynamic modelling techniques together with measurements of indoor environment and energy in buildings and use this additional information to develop more reliable certification/assessment scheme.
The overall objective of the EDYCE project is to develop methods and utilise existing tools that would support shift of the current static EPC towards dynamic EPC (DEPC). EDYCE aims to investigate, develop and demonstrate a more systematic approach for the dynamic energy labelling of the European building stock aiming at achieving better real energy class by detecting system faults, improvement of the operation possibilities, recommendations for energy renovation. The methodology proposed by the project is based on an identification of a minimum and sufficient number of inputs, allowing for dynamic assessment of energy performance of the building. The assessment consists of collection of necessary static data, development of dynamic models, detection of indoor environment, measurement of actual energy consumption and detection of adapted condition of use of the building and finally development of KPIs that could be used to assess building performance with respect to energy, indoor climate and free running operation potentials.
The specific project objectives and project outcomes are listed and summarized in the bullet points below:
- To better understand building performance -> DEPC method and EDCYE platform developed.
- To become able to detect and reduce performance gap -> specific KPIs targeting energy and indoor environment identified, use of monitored data implemented in the methodology, algorithms for smart heat meter data disaggregation for space heating and domestic hot water developed and validated.
- To identify successful energy renovations -> joint expert and analytical renovation approach, change of subsidy eligibility in Geneve canton.
- To become more credible to end users -> validated models, hourly based modelling, adapted condition of use and support of monitored data.
- To react to energy misuse -> weekly aggregated hourly data from validated models and monitoring, possibility for predictions.
- To be user friendly in communicating results -> results graphical visualisation, EDYCE web platform and mobile application.
- To demonstrate EDYCE approach -> multiple buildings evaluated with respect to their data availability and needs.
The overall objective of the EDYCE project is to develop methods and utilise existing tools that would support shift of the current static EPC towards dynamic EPC (DEPC). EDYCE aims to investigate, develop and demonstrate a more systematic approach for the dynamic energy labelling of the European building stock aiming at achieving better real energy class by detecting system faults, improvement of the operation possibilities, recommendations for energy renovation. The methodology proposed by the project is based on an identification of a minimum and sufficient number of inputs, allowing for dynamic assessment of energy performance of the building. The assessment consists of collection of necessary static data, development of dynamic models, detection of indoor environment, measurement of actual energy consumption and detection of adapted condition of use of the building and finally development of KPIs that could be used to assess building performance with respect to energy, indoor climate and free running operation potentials.
The specific project objectives and project outcomes are listed and summarized in the bullet points below:
- To better understand building performance -> DEPC method and EDCYE platform developed.
- To become able to detect and reduce performance gap -> specific KPIs targeting energy and indoor environment identified, use of monitored data implemented in the methodology, algorithms for smart heat meter data disaggregation for space heating and domestic hot water developed and validated.
- To identify successful energy renovations -> joint expert and analytical renovation approach, change of subsidy eligibility in Geneve canton.
- To become more credible to end users -> validated models, hourly based modelling, adapted condition of use and support of monitored data.
- To react to energy misuse -> weekly aggregated hourly data from validated models and monitoring, possibility for predictions.
- To be user friendly in communicating results -> results graphical visualisation, EDYCE web platform and mobile application.
- To demonstrate EDYCE approach -> multiple buildings evaluated with respect to their data availability and needs.
In the initial project phase, efforts were focused on identifying current limitations and developing a dynamic EPC (DEPC) architecture. Several aspects of DEPC were detailed, including free-running and passive technologies, smart readiness vision, energy metering, dynamic hourly models, and performance gap. Demonstration building preparation and model development work began.
The subsequent project phase involved refining KPIs related to energy, comfort, and system performance. Algorithms for disaggregating smart heat meter data and a Python tool for Energy Plus modeling were developed. Challenges were encountered in collecting measured data and implementing monitoring activities. Initial buildings were connected to the FusiX platform.
Significant work was done to finalize technical deliverables, including data models, inspection plans, DEPC methodology, and DEPC protocols. A Python-driven dynamic simulation platform was developed. Predictive capabilities were enhanced, and the Energy Plus model was verified using monitored data.
Integration with the E-DYCE framework involved monitoring, simulation, prediction, and renovation outcomes. The project moved towards adapted building assessments reflecting actual usage. Monitored data supported modeling, and buildings became compatible with the PREDYCE platform.
In the final project phase, efforts were concentrated on model simplification, integrating monitored data for assessment, and performing model-data comparisons. The DEPC methodology was demonstrated for selected buildings, allowing for more detailed assessments of building performance and renovation activities.
The subsequent project phase involved refining KPIs related to energy, comfort, and system performance. Algorithms for disaggregating smart heat meter data and a Python tool for Energy Plus modeling were developed. Challenges were encountered in collecting measured data and implementing monitoring activities. Initial buildings were connected to the FusiX platform.
Significant work was done to finalize technical deliverables, including data models, inspection plans, DEPC methodology, and DEPC protocols. A Python-driven dynamic simulation platform was developed. Predictive capabilities were enhanced, and the Energy Plus model was verified using monitored data.
Integration with the E-DYCE framework involved monitoring, simulation, prediction, and renovation outcomes. The project moved towards adapted building assessments reflecting actual usage. Monitored data supported modeling, and buildings became compatible with the PREDYCE platform.
In the final project phase, efforts were concentrated on model simplification, integrating monitored data for assessment, and performing model-data comparisons. The DEPC methodology was demonstrated for selected buildings, allowing for more detailed assessments of building performance and renovation activities.
During next project-months’ work effort will be mainly focalized on integration of technical aspects in the platform and with respect to data and demo-buildings. Continuation of demonstration work will support application and testing phase in which developed assessment of the building will be carried out according to E-DYCE protocol and identified KPIs for asset and operational rating. Project will develop reproducible DEPC method which can be used for different building types and typologies. The goal is also to further automatize and improve the process: data collection, modelling, measurements, feedback.
It has been proven that by moderate effort, modelling of buildings can become much more reliable, results credible and better in reflecting actual operation. It was identified that operational data, energy metering and indoor environment monitoring, can have substantial value in future improvements of building energy efficiency and operation. Moreover, EDYCE DEPC approach has proven its flexibility and adaptability to different buildings, their location and needs. Developed method and obtained results indicated significant potential for energy savings, increase of free running operation and potentials for indoor comfort improvement as well moments where faulty operations could be terminated. Finally, EDYCE approach has infiltrated to Swiss regulations in canton of Geneve in which renovation programs begun to require documentation of actual energy savings to become eligible for subsidies.
It has been proven that by moderate effort, modelling of buildings can become much more reliable, results credible and better in reflecting actual operation. It was identified that operational data, energy metering and indoor environment monitoring, can have substantial value in future improvements of building energy efficiency and operation. Moreover, EDYCE DEPC approach has proven its flexibility and adaptability to different buildings, their location and needs. Developed method and obtained results indicated significant potential for energy savings, increase of free running operation and potentials for indoor comfort improvement as well moments where faulty operations could be terminated. Finally, EDYCE approach has infiltrated to Swiss regulations in canton of Geneve in which renovation programs begun to require documentation of actual energy savings to become eligible for subsidies.