Modern Building Services

FEATURE SMART BUILDINGS 30 MODERN BUILDING SERVICES SEPTEMBER 2021 Adding solar energy to a building’s energy mix is a crucial aspect in making a building more energy independent; however, it is only the first step. The next step is improving the management of that energy in order to increase self-consumption. This is because energy usage does not always align with the energy generation of a PV system. As such, there are two ways that the energy can be managed to overcome this inconsistency. The first technique is energy storage and the second is consumption shifting. Energy storage is an essential part of smart energy management as it stores energy when it is produced for consumption at a later time instead of either limiting energy production or feeding it into the grid. With PV plus storage systems, the inverter is responsible for managing battery charge and discharge patterns to meet consumption needs and reduce the amount of power purchased from the grid. The graph below shows how energy storage is able to increase self-consumption and energy independence. Typical Residential PV Production with Battery Shifting energy consumption is another form of energy management that can also increase self-consumption. This technique combines the technology of smart buildings with PV energy. By merging these two technologies, smart energy management solutions can automatically use a PV system’s excess power to increase solar energy usage, help lower electricity bills, increase energy independence, and provide greater convenience. Devices and appliances, such as immersion heaters, lighting, fans, and pool pumps, can be controlled by smart energy management solutions that include AC switches with a meter and plug-in sockets with a meter, and dry contact switches. With the immersion heater, excess PV energy can be directed towards water heating, which is a low-cost form of energy storage. While the other devices allow appliances, such as pool pumps, fans, cold- storage, thermostats, and lighting, to be remotely controlled and utilized during high PV production for increased self-consumption. Typical Residential PV Production and Energy Consumption In addition to increasing energy independence, smart energy management allows for a simple user experience when combined into one integrated energymanagement andmonitoring platform. This enables amore streamlined smart energy and buildingmanagement process to reduce operation andmaintenance costs. As the technology advances, we will continue to seemore opportunities to further integrate it intomaking buildings more energy efficient. For example, weather and irradiance forecasting integrated into energy management systems can help ensuremore efficient planning of building heating, or personalized profiles and thermostat controls that can help increase comfort without additional resources. Combining these types of technology with architectural designs can help our buildings exist in better harmony within their surroundings and environment.