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Smart Thermostats for a Campus Microgrid: Demand Control and Improving Air Quality

Author

Listed:
  • Alexandre Correia

    (Institute of System and Robotics, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Coimbra, 3030-290 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Luís Miguel Ferreira

    (Institute of System and Robotics, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Coimbra, 3030-290 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Paulo Coimbra

    (Institute of System and Robotics, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Coimbra, 3030-290 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Pedro Moura

    (Institute of System and Robotics, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Coimbra, 3030-290 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Aníbal T. de Almeida

    (Institute of System and Robotics, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Coimbra, 3030-290 Coimbra, Portugal)

Abstract

Achieving nearly zero-energy buildings (nZEB) is one of the main objectives defined by the European Union for achieving carbon neutrality in buildings. nZEBs are heavily reliant on distributed renewable generation energy sources, which create new challenges associated with their inherent intermittency. To achieve nZEB levels, demand management plays an essential role to balance supply and demand. Since up to two-thirds of the total consumed energy in buildings is dispended for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) operations, intelligent control of HVAC loads is of utmost importance. The present work aims to offer a solution to improve a building microgrids’ flexibility by shifting thermal loads and taking advantage of room thermal inertia. Innovation is present in using the internet of things to link several decentralized local microcontrollers with the microgrid and in the applicability of different control algorithms, such as the pre-emptive heating/cooling of a room. The developed solution relies on smart thermostats, which can be integrated into a building management system, or in a microgrid, and are capable of fulfilling the occupants’ need for comfort while complementing the building with needed power flexibility. The equipment is capable of controlling several HVAC systems to guarantee thermal and air quality comfort, as well as coordinate with a building/microgrid operator to reduce energy costs by shifting thermal loads and enacting demand control strategies. The smart thermostat uses an algorithm to calculate room inertia and to pre-emptively heat/cool a room to the desired temperature, avoiding peak hours, taking advantage of variable tariffs for electricity, or periods of solar generation surplus. The smart thermostat was integrated into a university campus microgrid and tested in live classrooms. Since the work was developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, special attention was given to the air quality features. Results show that smart HVAC control is a viable way to provide occupant comfort, as well as contribute to the integration of renewable generation and increase energy efficiency in buildings and microgrids.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexandre Correia & Luís Miguel Ferreira & Paulo Coimbra & Pedro Moura & Aníbal T. de Almeida, 2022. "Smart Thermostats for a Campus Microgrid: Demand Control and Improving Air Quality," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-21, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:4:p:1359-:d:748769
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Homod, Raad Z., 2018. "Analysis and optimization of HVAC control systems based on energy and performance considerations for smart buildings," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 49-64.
    2. Carvalho, Anabela Duarte & Mendrinos, Dimitris & De Almeida, Anibal T., 2015. "Ground source heat pump carbon emissions and primary energy reduction potential for heating in buildings in Europe—results of a case study in Portugal," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 755-768.
    3. Dieter Lüthi & Martine Le Floch & Bernhard Bereiter & Thomas Blunier & Jean-Marc Barnola & Urs Siegenthaler & Dominique Raynaud & Jean Jouzel & Hubertus Fischer & Kenji Kawamura & Thomas F. Stocker, 2008. "High-resolution carbon dioxide concentration record 650,000–800,000 years before present," Nature, Nature, vol. 453(7193), pages 379-382, May.
    4. Homod, Raad Z. & Gaeid, Khalaf S. & Dawood, Suroor M. & Hatami, Alireza & Sahari, Khairul S., 2020. "Evaluation of energy-saving potential for optimal time response of HVAC control system in smart buildings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 271(C).
    5. Homod, Raad Z., 2014. "Assessment regarding energy saving and decoupling for different AHU (air handling unit) and control strategies in the hot-humid climatic region of Iraq," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 762-774.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Alexandre F. M. Correia & Pedro Moura & Aníbal T. de Almeida, 2022. "Technical and Economic Assessment of Battery Storage and Vehicle-to-Grid Systems in Building Microgrids," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-23, November.
    2. Anatolijs Borodinecs & Arturs Palcikovskis & Vladislavs Jacnevs, 2022. "Indoor Air CO 2 Sensors and Possible Uncertainties of Measurements: A Review and an Example of Practical Measurements," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-15, September.
    3. Jie Yang & Baorui Cai & Jingyu Cao & Yunjie Wang & Huihan Yang & Ping Zhu, 2023. "Comprehensive Characterization of Energy Saving and Environmental Benefits of Campus Photovoltaic Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-16, October.
    4. Moslem Dehghani & Seyyed Mohammad Bornapour & Felipe Ruiz & Jose Rodriguez, 2025. "Multi-Objective Energy Management System in Smart Homes with Inverter-Based Air Conditioner Considering Costs, Peak-Average Ratio, and Battery Discharging Cycles of ESS and EV," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-21, October.
    5. Wenhui Shi & Lifei Ma & Wenxin Li & Yankai Zhu & Dongliang Nan & Yinzhang Peng, 2025. "Thermodynamic-Based Perceived Predictive Power Control for Renewable Energy Penetrated Resident Microgrids," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-22, June.
    6. Edrees Yahya Alhawsawi & Khaled Salhein & Mohamed A. Zohdy, 2024. "A Comprehensive Review of Existing and Pending University Campus Microgrids," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-29, May.

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