A Study of Temporal Correlation Between Space Utilization and Electricity Consumption in Buildings Using Wi-Fi Probe Data

This paper presents an initial exploration into understanding the intricate relationship between space utilization and electricity consumption within buildings. Leveraging Wi-Fi probe data for physical space utilization in 10 buildings at the Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, Thailand, the study introduces a novel approach to comprehend space utilization. Through the analysis of factors inferred from the Wi-Fi data including crowdedness, mobility, and entropy, correlated with changes in electricity consumption, the research aims to reveal strategies for optimizing real-time energy use. The temporal relationship is scrutinized by examining correlations between each space utilization attribute and electricity consumption at various time lags. Fluctuations in space utilization levels offer valuable insights into anticipated energy consumption in the near future. Results, in general, indicate that the 30–45 minutes timeframe serves as an early indicator for anticipated increases in electricity usage when considering crowdedness, while the 15–30 minutes timeframe is indicative when mobility and entropy are concerned. Buildings were clustered together based on electricity usage profiles and space allocation, yielding intuitive results. By delving into the dynamic interplay between space utilization and electricity consumption, the study contributes valuable insights to discussions on sustainable building practices and energy management.