INTECOM: Integrated control strategies for improving energy management and comfort in new and existing buildings

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 98.0153

Key words (English)

Building management system (BMS);.structure of BMS functionalit;.architecture of BMS; functionality; interoperability; thermal control; HVAC control; blind control; light control; communication bus

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: JOE3-CT98-0089

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 4. Frame Research Programme - 5.1 Nonnuclear energies

Short description (English)

See abstract

Partners and International Organizations (English)

Legrand (F), SOMFY (F), BRE (UK), CSTB (F), TNO (NL), University of Oxford (UK)

Abstract (English)

Three control manufacturers (HVAC, light and blinds) and four laboratories work together in this pre-competitive research project in order to define and validate a generic architecture of BMS (Building Management System) functionality which allows low-cost integration of SW and HW modules supplied by different manufacturers, covering control and monitoring of HVAC, light and blind systems. It is furthermore intended that the work would be used as a starting point for the development of standardisation (e.g. CEN). Details in the objectives are:1. To develop a generic framework for integrating control strategies in order to improve energy management a well as indoor comfort.2. To develop a set of smart control schemes compatible with this generic framework.3. To develop prototypes of controllers using this integrated approach.4. To validate the advantages of this approach in simulation and to prepare for a future demonstration in occupied buildings.The work to be jointly done by the partners are structured into the following 7 work packages: WP1: Generic integration methodology. WP2: Zone level strategy module. WP3: Plant level strategy module. WP4: Service level strategy module. WP5: Prototype implementation. WP6: Validation. WP7: Project management.In the third year of the project the following have been achieved:1. Functional descriptions of the control strategies for zone level integration were finished.2. The strategies for zone level control integration were tested and evaluated by simulations.3. The strategies for plant level control integration were tested and evaluated by simulations.4. The strategies for service level control integration were tested and evaluated by simulations.5. Several prototypes of controllers using this integrated approach have been developed.6. An environment to test and evaluate the hardware controller prototypes by emulation (simulation of HVAC plant and building) has been almost finished. In order to finish the test environment and to perform the tests an extension of the project by three months is requested from the Commission.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 98.0153