Modelling of Thermal Energy Demand in Smart Buildings

The total energy consumption of the buildings' sector has been increasing steadily over the last decades, increasing the energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. By the transformation of buildings into nearly or net zero energy ones (nZEBs), they will likely play a pivotal role in the smart grid context, being able to both produce and consume energy on-site and even acting as small nanogrids. In order to achieve that, a move towards smart and more energy efficient buildings with increased energy autonomy is mandatory for the existing and new properties. In this direction, the project "Enhancing storage integration in buildings with Photovoltaics" of "INTERREG Balkan Mediterranean 2014-2020" aims at both modelling and validating methods of optimal energy management in buildings equipped with Photovoltaics (PV) and storage systems. In this paper, a simple and accurate thermal model based on ISO 52016-1:2017 is proposed for the calculation of both heating and cooling energy needs in residential properties. The model has been tested in residential buildings in various European locations, but can be used in any type of building as well. From the comparison of the model with other simulation tools, it is concluded that slight deviations occur due to differences in climate data, the operative temperature, as well as the different approaches of ventilation and shading effects.