COOPERATE: Control and Optimization for Energy Positive Neighbourhoods
Since buildings are responsible for 40% of energy consumption and 36% of CO2 emissions in the European Union, achieving energy performance of neighborhoods, including buildings, transportation systems and other supporting infrastructures, is key to achieving the EU Climate & Energy objectives for 2020.
Objective
In COOPERaTE an ‘Energy Positive Neighborhood’ is defined as a neighborhood which can maximize usage of local and renewable energy resources whilst positively contributing to the optimization and security of the wider electricity grid. The goal of this project is the conceptual design of a cloud-based scalable neighborhood service and management platform that integrates local monitoring and control functions for the achievement of Energy Positive Neighborhoods beyond the building level.
Architecture
The architectural design of the cloud system enables a system of systems approach with different cloud platforms from several neighborhoods through the newly developed Neighborhood Information Model as a neutral interfacing “language”, a data model extending the Building Information Model to the neighborhood level.
Demonstrations
In order to demonstrate the developed concepts, two test sites were chosen for exemplary implementations which are very different in nature: the Challenger complex in France, headquarters of Bouygues Construction, and the Bishopstown campus of Cork Institute of Technology in Ireland. While Challenger represents a neighborhood with a single owner and purely business buildings, Bishopstown comprises both residential, leisure and business use with several owners.
In the scope of this project, a Modelica-based integrated system model for the two test sites was developed by ACS and EBC, comprising both electrical and thermal facilities. The integrated library contains models such as buildings, heat and power generators and components for energy distribution. In this way, the joint effects of the electrical and thermal systems can be studied in an appropriate extent before the developed optimization and control concepts are implemented on site.
Outcome
In the final year of COOPERaTE, the implementation and demonstration efforts on the test sites will be finalized. The developed technical and economical processes and concepts as well as the gained experience from the test site implementation will lead to a roadmap document detailing the transition to Energy Positive Neighborhoods.
Sponsorship
This project is funded by the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no. 600063.