The project aims to test a smart system for the energy management of a tertiary building using PV generation, second life battery and smart HVAC system.
The demo site is in Montgat library with photovoltaics generation, second life battery and smart heating, ventilation, and air conditioning management system. Montgat library had photovoltaic systems (PV) already installed. The library open hours do not match with the hour of maximum PV generation PV surplus injected into the grid without generating revenues (25 % of the time)
The project demo site aims to test a smart system for the energy management of a tertiary building. This solution must be easy to install and operate.
The main features of the project are:
• Automatization of air conditioning (HVAC).
• Flexibility coming from HVAC system, photovoltaic generation and energy storage system.
• Second life EV battery is used.
• Aggregator agent exploits the flexibility of the building
• Always considering users constraints and building usage.
• Cloud solution that allows the building manager to install and control several buildings at the same time.
There are 63 libraries with similar characteristics in the metropolitan area of Barcelona.
Fifteen partners formed the consortium for the project: 2 research institutes, 2 Technological institutes, 7 companies, 1 university and 1 public administration.
Resources needed
The total project budget for the AMB is 171,959.50 €.
Evidence of success
The amount of self-generated PV energy injected into the grid has decreased (PV surplus).
Allow new business to exploit flexibility (aggregator).
The energy costs have also decreased.
Automatization avoids excess of energy consumption due to misuse of HVAC system
Difficulties encountered
Combining existing hardware and software (PV, HVAC) with new elements (management software, energy storage systems) is time consuming and costly
Second life EV batteries need further testing and evaluation. Lab experiments are basic for assuring security and performance.
Potential for learning or transfer
Installing this kind of device in a public building causes different unexpected problems such as non-existing insurance policies, transport and installation requirements, …
Aggregator agent represents a great opportunity but its expected benefits will be simulated given that current regulation does not allow this agent to operate.
A new energy solution has been installed in a tertiary building including:
• Existing hardware (PV and HVAC system)
• Second life EV battery
• New smart energy management software cloud based with aggregator capabilities.
Users requirements considered and implemented in the energy management (users comfort, open-hours, security...)
Difficult to evaluate the before –after solution due to a change in building usage & regulation.
Tags: Buildings, Efficiency, Energy, Renewables
