Periodic Reporting for period 2 - iBECOME (intelligent Building Energy Assets Control for Comfort, Energy and Flexibility Optimisation)
Berichtszeitraum: 2021-12-01 bis 2023-05-31
It is well known that the majority if the existing EU building stock is inefficient with respect to its energy performance. There are many small to medium sized buildings that do not have a Building Automation System (BAS) to enable more efficient management and control of energy use. Also larger buildings that do have BAS, such as Building Management Systems (BMS), are underperforming due to a lack of knowledge of how to control the BMS on a day to day basis and a limited of access to the data. All of these slow down the adoption of the new emerging services in the areas of energy management, optimisation and demand response. However, in the recent years there has been a fast evolution of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the accelerating penetration of smart meters and smart thermostats that enables the low-cost installation of the hardware components of a BMS in every type of building and facility.
iBECOME aims to demonstrate the functionality and viability (technical and economical) of a virtual BMS platform (vBMS) deployed as a software solution to a building that can optimise the energy performance, comfort conditions, wellness and electricity flexibility potential of buildings and facilities, while allowing 3rd parties to interconnect for providing other energy or non-energy related services. The demonstration will take place in 4 types of buildings, under various conditions and climatic zones. The backbone of the vBMS is a 3D digital twin, an accurate replica of the real operation of a building, built upon static and monitoring data from the building, while utilising physics based energy simulations, combined with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The main objectives of iBECOME for the realisation of its ambition include the definition of virtual sensors for thermal, visual comfort and air quality, calculated by simulations and artificial intelligence, to replace the need of expensive equipment installations on a building. Additionally, all the technical, engineering and cybersecurity specifications related to the deployment of the vBMS will be determined, to allow the smooth operation in any kind of building. The services of the vBMS will be developed including intelligent solutions for Fault Detection and Diagnosis (FDD), Predictive Control, and Demand Response (DR). Side-by-side with the technological advancements of the project, new business models will be developed together with their legal and business requirements, including the data privacy and collaboration of different actors such as ESCOs, Facility managers, building owners etc. The proposed business models are created in the concept that all upfront investments will be paid back through the revenue generated from energy savings and demand response services. The functionality of the operational business models will also be demonstrated, together with the effectiveness of essential retrofits to maximise the benefits of the vBMS in energy efficiency and CO2 reduction.
iBECOME aims to demonstrate the functionality and viability (technical and economical) of a virtual BMS platform (vBMS) deployed as a software solution to a building that can optimise the energy performance, comfort conditions, wellness and electricity flexibility potential of buildings and facilities, while allowing 3rd parties to interconnect for providing other energy or non-energy related services. The demonstration will take place in 4 types of buildings, under various conditions and climatic zones. The backbone of the vBMS is a 3D digital twin, an accurate replica of the real operation of a building, built upon static and monitoring data from the building, while utilising physics based energy simulations, combined with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The main objectives of iBECOME for the realisation of its ambition include the definition of virtual sensors for thermal, visual comfort and air quality, calculated by simulations and artificial intelligence, to replace the need of expensive equipment installations on a building. Additionally, all the technical, engineering and cybersecurity specifications related to the deployment of the vBMS will be determined, to allow the smooth operation in any kind of building. The services of the vBMS will be developed including intelligent solutions for Fault Detection and Diagnosis (FDD), Predictive Control, and Demand Response (DR). Side-by-side with the technological advancements of the project, new business models will be developed together with their legal and business requirements, including the data privacy and collaboration of different actors such as ESCOs, Facility managers, building owners etc. The proposed business models are created in the concept that all upfront investments will be paid back through the revenue generated from energy savings and demand response services. The functionality of the operational business models will also be demonstrated, together with the effectiveness of essential retrofits to maximise the benefits of the vBMS in energy efficiency and CO2 reduction.
From the beginning of the project until the end of the second reporting period, the following results were achieved:
The virtual sensors calculation and prediction techniques have been defined for IEQ, using both virtual datasets from calibrated models, and real data from building sensors and monitoring campaigns.
Algorithms to determine the flexibility potential, required for enabling DR, have been trained and trialled. This was enabled by the new feature developed to execute lightweight physics-based simulations on the cloud. The software architecture of the vBMS has been specified. The connections between the various pieces of software, existing and new have been specified, including API connections, data flows, and hardware requirements.
Innovative services such as Energy/Comfort Optimisation, Fault Detection and Diagnosis, Predictive Maintenance, Demand Response have been developed. Integration of these services with the vBMS was achieved with dashboards work in progress, including the 3rd party services: Healthcare management, EV charging & Commuting optimisation.
In demo sites, following the reopening of buildings after the COVID-19 pandemic, the auditors managed to access the buildings, proceed with ICT equipment installations and perform audits and engagement with occupants. At the end of RP2, in demo site buildings, surveys have been undertaken to uncover building problems related to comfort, building models created and calibrated as much as possible, use cases agreed with technical partners and building representatives. Furthermore, all the necessary equipment installed, commissioned and integration with Enterprise Server and iSCAN was achieved. In February, ASP della Carnia demo site withdrawn from the project, where no hardware installation took place and replaced with ASP Venzone.
Regarding business model development, the Collaborative contract template was developed the methodology proposed for bankability evaluation has been improved, with the aim to implement it in a dedicated ICT tool. Moreover, preliminary work has been performed for the development of the Agile and Enhanced EPC contract template.
The virtual sensors calculation and prediction techniques have been defined for IEQ, using both virtual datasets from calibrated models, and real data from building sensors and monitoring campaigns.
Algorithms to determine the flexibility potential, required for enabling DR, have been trained and trialled. This was enabled by the new feature developed to execute lightweight physics-based simulations on the cloud. The software architecture of the vBMS has been specified. The connections between the various pieces of software, existing and new have been specified, including API connections, data flows, and hardware requirements.
Innovative services such as Energy/Comfort Optimisation, Fault Detection and Diagnosis, Predictive Maintenance, Demand Response have been developed. Integration of these services with the vBMS was achieved with dashboards work in progress, including the 3rd party services: Healthcare management, EV charging & Commuting optimisation.
In demo sites, following the reopening of buildings after the COVID-19 pandemic, the auditors managed to access the buildings, proceed with ICT equipment installations and perform audits and engagement with occupants. At the end of RP2, in demo site buildings, surveys have been undertaken to uncover building problems related to comfort, building models created and calibrated as much as possible, use cases agreed with technical partners and building representatives. Furthermore, all the necessary equipment installed, commissioned and integration with Enterprise Server and iSCAN was achieved. In February, ASP della Carnia demo site withdrawn from the project, where no hardware installation took place and replaced with ASP Venzone.
Regarding business model development, the Collaborative contract template was developed the methodology proposed for bankability evaluation has been improved, with the aim to implement it in a dedicated ICT tool. Moreover, preliminary work has been performed for the development of the Agile and Enhanced EPC contract template.
The ambition of iBECOME is to demonstrate intelligent software solutions that can bring substantial benefits to our buildings and our society. Considering that there is a 4th industrial revolution with Internet of Things as the key enabling technology, iBECOME is aiming to introduce a two-way communication with the smart equipment of a building to primarily reduce energy use and carbon emissions, as well as improving comfort and wellbeing of its occupants.
The new business models foreseen will allow the monetisation of energy savings and re-investment into purchasing more equipment and deploying more iBECOME services.
iBECOME solution can be deployed in any type of building, with any type of existing equipment related to energy management. Even if the building doesn’t include any equipment, the basic services can be offered with just a smart meter and a smart thermostat that can be purchased and installed with minimum capital cost.
By the end of the project, the iBECOME solution will be able to offer:
1. Modelling of every possible scenario of changes/interventions at the building, enabling continuous optimisation of operation and performance and informing decision-making in energy upgrade design.
2. Accurately calculate and produce huge amounts of big-data output both in time and space resolution and number of variables to optimise comfort and flexibility and enable spin-off 3rd party services.
3. Calculate all the different variables and metrics required by certification schemes like BREEAM, LEED, BER, SRI, WELL.
4. Offer user-friendly dashboards and command centre for its users, primarily for facility managers with experience in utilising the benefits that the iBECOME solution can bring
iBECOME is expected to contribute in reducing primary energy use of buildings, trigger sustainable energy investments and improve the viability of innovative energy services by demonstrating the benefits, reliability and trustworthiness and reduced payback times comparing to similar solutions. Also 3rd parties can make use the big data generated and offer additional services. It will also improve comfort and wellness of occupants, which is important also in the post pandemic era.
The new business models foreseen will allow the monetisation of energy savings and re-investment into purchasing more equipment and deploying more iBECOME services.
iBECOME solution can be deployed in any type of building, with any type of existing equipment related to energy management. Even if the building doesn’t include any equipment, the basic services can be offered with just a smart meter and a smart thermostat that can be purchased and installed with minimum capital cost.
By the end of the project, the iBECOME solution will be able to offer:
1. Modelling of every possible scenario of changes/interventions at the building, enabling continuous optimisation of operation and performance and informing decision-making in energy upgrade design.
2. Accurately calculate and produce huge amounts of big-data output both in time and space resolution and number of variables to optimise comfort and flexibility and enable spin-off 3rd party services.
3. Calculate all the different variables and metrics required by certification schemes like BREEAM, LEED, BER, SRI, WELL.
4. Offer user-friendly dashboards and command centre for its users, primarily for facility managers with experience in utilising the benefits that the iBECOME solution can bring
iBECOME is expected to contribute in reducing primary energy use of buildings, trigger sustainable energy investments and improve the viability of innovative energy services by demonstrating the benefits, reliability and trustworthiness and reduced payback times comparing to similar solutions. Also 3rd parties can make use the big data generated and offer additional services. It will also improve comfort and wellness of occupants, which is important also in the post pandemic era.