Computational model to estimate new energy solutions in existing buildings

Abstract Mainly due to actions that aim to decelerate climate change, existing buildings are actively updated with new energy solutions. These typically aim to increase energy efficiency and to enhance the utilization of renewables. When the possibilities to produce, to consume and to store energy are manifold, and when the topical themes of peak shaving and demand response are taken into account, we a dealing with a complex field and vast number of variables in building’s energy management. To find optimal solutions for these situations, Smart Case NZEB (Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings) was initiated. Smart Case NZEB is a Finnish-German joint-project, which aimed to find optimized energy solutions for modern buildings. The project was carried out in collaboration between Universities of Applied Sciences in Tampere (Finland) and in Munich (Germany), several companies were also involved. The development of the model presented in this paper bases on the simulation requirements set by the project. In order to support detailed and quite complicated IDA ICE modelling, we needed a simple and reliable model to simulate the effects of new energy solutions in existing buildings. Such solutions include, for example, electric and thermal energy storages for peak shaving of grid power and district heating. Reliable operation of simple computational model is based on calibration with measured data, after which the model can be used to estimate the effects of new energy solutions. In this paper we present the principle of the model and simulation results of the target building used in the project.