Research Lotte Van Thillo

Abstract

Advanced Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS) are increasingly being implemented in residential buildings. In general, these smart technologies contribute to a healthy and comfortable indoor environment, while they also beneficially affect the energy performance of the building. In order to support design and investment decisions in relation to BACS, there is a need to reliably assess their performance during the early design stages. Current methods available to designers and investors are either highly complex dynamic energy simulations, either simplified factor-based methods which have a low reliability as they do not take into account contextual parameters, nor provide insights on comfort perception and cost-effectiveness. The aim of this project is to investigate how and to what extent the influence of the building design features, the installation characteristics, its occupants and its context should be incorporated in a combined performance assessment for energy, thermal comfort and economic performance of BACS in residential design applications. A proof-of-concept methodology for such an assessment will be developed using dynamic Building Energy Performance Simulations (BEPS) and life cycle cost analysis. As part of this analysis, the possibilities to implement BACS more realistic in BEPS will be explored. The feasibility of this approach will be evaluated for eight Belgian case studies.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Audenaert Amaryllis
• Co-promoter: Verbeke Stijn
• Fellow: Van Thillo Lotte

Research team(s)

• Energy and Materials in Infrastructure and Buildings

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS) can significantly contribute to a healthy and comfortable indoor environment, while they also beneficially affect the energy performance of a residential building. Although they are often a cost-effective investment, the lack of reliable information on their impacts can impede their market uptake. Current energy performance assessment tools for early design stages or certification do not take into account the influence of building design features and contextual factors or are not profitable for small scale applications. The performances of BACS are expected to be sensitive to the building design features, installation characteristics, occupant behaviour and climate zone. This project aims to derive the impact of several of these factors on energy, thermal comfort and economic performances by means of dynamic building energy performance simulations and life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) and to propose an improved assessment method, suitable for early design applications. The focus is devoted to the creation of an underlying calculation framework, which will be tested for eight case study buildings. The acquired knowledge of the relation between contextual factors and BACS performances can support design and investment decisions, while the framework will allow further expansion to cover a broader scope.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Audenaert Amaryllis
• Co-promoter: Verbeke Stijn
• Fellow: Van Thillo Lotte

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project