This thesis is concerned with improving the integrity and applicability of building energy management systems(BEMS) simulation tools. The present work attempts to overcome certain inadequacies of contemporary simulation applications with respect to environmental control systems, by developing novel building control systems modelling schemes. These schemes are then integrated within a state-of-the-art simulation environment so that they can be employed in practice. After reviewing the existing techniques and various approaches to control systems design and appraisal,a taxonomy of building control system entities grouped in terms of logical, temporal and spatial element, is presented. This taxonomy is subsequently used to identify the models, algorithms, and features comprising a comprehensive modelling environment. Schemes for improving system integrity and applicability are presented based upon a simulation approach which treats the building fabric and associated plant sy stems as an integrated dynamic system. These schemes facilitate the modelling of advanced BEMS control structure and strategies, including: - hierarchical (systems level and zone-level) control systems; - single input, single output (SISO) and multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) systems; - advanced BEMS controller algorithms; - simulated-assisted control strategies based on advanced simulation time-step control techniques. The installation of the developed schemes within a whole building simulation environment, ESP-r, is also presented. Issues related to verification of the developed schemes are subsequently discussed. Users of control system simulation programs are identified and categorised. Typical applications of the new control modelling features are demonstrated in terms of these user groups. The applications are based on both research and consultancy projects. Finally, the future work required to increase the applicability and accuracy of building control simulation tools is elaborated in terms of the required integration with other technical subsystems and related computer-aided design tools.

No description available.

Despite great development in residential buildings that Saudi Arabia has witnessed over the last two decades, there is still a lack of understanding and of evaluating the thermal performance aspects of the buildings. The rapid developments that took place in such a short time have ignored environmental considerations and produced exotic buildings that have poor thermal performance. The existing residential building stock built during the economic boom of the 70's and afterwards is having problems balancing between a comfortable indoor climate and reasonable usage of energy. To resolve this issue, the thermal performance of these buildings needs to be improved. But, in the absence of proper knowledge about the performance of these buildings, any proposed suggestions will be a matter of speculations. The research aims to address the notion of energy conservation in existing apartment building in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. It is concerned with identifying the thermal characteristics and the quality of indoor environment in this building type as well as investigating the behaviour of the occupants and their domestic energy demands. This background sets the base to test energy saving measures and to review their effectiveness and their applicability. The study provides information for the parties with direct relation to this issue, authority and policy makers, building professionals, and occupants to assist them in understanding the current situation and promote the selection of the most appropriate strategy. In this study, a comprehensive fieldwork survey, that comprises social survey of 600 apartments and physical measurement survey for eight case studies, have been performed. Thermal performance of the different building components and their dynamic interaction has been simulated thoroughly by a computer program for building energy analysis VisualDOE-2.5). The simulation has been employed to theoretically predict the thermal roles of building components and the impact the occupants have as building users. The program tested strategies for potential energy savings. The simulation model has demonstrated a 19% and 31% reduction in cooling load as a result of applying insulation materials and shading device in respective order. The findings have been integrated to highlight the problems of energy conservation issues in existing apartment buildings, producing recommendations and suggestions for further research avenues to complement work.

Energy harvesting is one of the methods that currently engage actively in energy “recycling”. Of the many energy sources that carry the potential to have energy harvested and recycled, humans are seen as a potential source of energy. High amounts of energy are wasted from daily activities that humans do, if only a portion of the wasted energy can be harvested and reused with the aim of improving the quality of life of the user. To do that, the accelerations of selected movements are recorded from sensors attached to four different locations of the body. Human movements operate on a low and wide frequency scale, nonlinear energy harvesting techniques is seen as a suitable technique to be applied. Nonlinear energy harvesting techniques are expected to increase the bandwidth of operation of the energy harvester. The electromagnetic method of transduction is also selected (using two opposing magnets) to be paired with the nonlinear energy harvesting techniques to evaluate the potential of energy harvesting from human movements. The pick-up coil to be used will be placed at a novel location within the energy harvester prototype. Through simulations and experiments, frequency responses obtained did show an increase in bandwidth which agrees with literature from nonlinear energy harvesting techniques. Phase portraits are also used to provide a more in depth understanding on the movements from the cantilever under linear and nonlinear dynamics. Result comparisons were made between the simulation model and the experimental prototype to verify the agreement between the two. Additionally, results obtained also showed that the resonant frequency of the system was reduced when operating under the nonlinear regime. These attribute favour energy harvesting though human movements. Finally, the novel placement of the pick-up coil within the nonlinear electromagnetic energy harvester had the desired effect. Similar power outputs were achieved even though the separation distances between the two opposing magnets were varied.

No description available.

The aim of this project was to develop and implement an expert advisor system to provide information for selecting and scheduling several items of small foundry plants using electric resistance bale-out furnaces, to optimise metal use and reduce energy costs. This involved study in formulating the procedures and developing a “foundry user friendly” expert system for giving advice to unskilled operatives in what was a complex multi- variable process. This system (FOES) included investigation and development of an advising system on the casting of a large numbers of different objects cast under different operating conditions and electricity tariffs. Knowledge elicitation techniques were developed and used during the complicated knowledge election process. Since this research programme intended to look at the complete process of melting, holding and pouring of the aluminium alloy, complex electricity tariffs were incorporated into the expert system in order to accurately calculate the energy cost of each process. A sub-section of the FOES system (DAD) could advise the unskilled foundry operative identify and eliminate the seven most common aluminium alloy casting defect by using a novel technique of incorporating actual defect photographs which were digitally scanned into the system.

The use of domestic appliances and lighting accounts for approximately three-quarters of all electricity used in the home, making this an important area for energy efficiency. This research investigates factors contributing to domestic energy-use behaviour by examining environmental concerns and actions, energy related knowledge, ownership levels and the use of wet and cold domestic appliances. The technical and social influences in the UK are reviewed and issues affecting usage and energy consumption are considered. A comprehensive questionnaire was used to gain background information on the underlying attitudes and beliefs that underpin energy usage in the home. This was followed by a detailed field study of 40 households, which focussed on the use of wet and cold appliances. Monitoring techniques included energy diaries, data logging and energy metering. Short interviews were conducted with respondents in order to clarify practices, whilst laboratory work was undertaken to help quantify the energy use of selected appliances in relation to specific variables. The research shows there is considerable scope for improved energy efficiency by more discerning usage. Whilst a high level of low temperature washing is already being used, the number of cycles in washing machines could be reduced considerably by increasing load sizes. In contrast, the potential to increase the load size in dishwashers is marginal, but a further switch to low temperature wash programmes would result in some savings. The majority of cold appliances surveyed were operating outside the recommended temperature range for much of the monitoring period. In general, households were unaware of this, lacking both the necessary understanding of recommended temperatures and any means of accurately assessing operating temperature. In addition to issues of food safety, the resultant energy demand is lower than might be expected were these appliances giving better temperature performance. Although limited, the adoption of certain practices can marginally improve the performance and energy efficiency. Whilst financial incentive is a highly motivating factor in the desire to save energy, the low level of understanding of energy issues in general is likely to act as a barrier to behavioural change. Although technological improvements can remove some of the potential inefficiencies from the user decision-making, more optimal energy use cannot be fully realised until the legacy of stock appliances has been replaced. It remains, therefore, essential that the many agencies associated with the supply and utilization of domestic appliances should exploit all opportunities to promote greater awareness of energy demand.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.