Ontology-based abstraction layer for smart grid interaction in building energy management systems

Replacing traditional power grids by future smart grids opens manifold opportunities for energy-efficient operation of buildings and cities as well as improved coordination of energy demand and supply. Current information and communication technology provides a suitable basis for the bidirectional flow of information between buildings and other smart grid stakeholders. However, a common notion of shared knowledge is essential in order to unify heterogeneous grid environments, incorporate information of smart grid participants, and process this information in building energy management. In this work, an abstraction layer based on an OWL ontology is presented that enables semantic representation of knowledge for interaction between building energy management systems and smart grids. A well-proven methodology is used to develop this ontology. Furthermore, the ontology application into building energy management systems and smart grid environments is illustrated, and the functional capabilities of this approach are shown.