Demonstrating the load-shifting potential of a schedule-based control in a real-life educational building

Abstract

This work investigates the potential of simplified control approaches to deploy the building energy flexibility (BEF), here for the shifting of the space-heating load in a real-life educational building. The educational building is a passive house school where internal gains play an important role in the room thermal dynamics. It is equipped with a waterborne heat distribution system connected to district heating. The building is located in Elverum, Norway, having a strong heating-dominated climate. Focusing on schedule-based control strategies for pre-heating the building in the mornings, the study demonstrates significant load shifting to off-peak hours. The energy use during typical peak hours (7a.m. to 9a.m.) is reduced by 50% while the daily energy use is not increased significantly, highlighting the effectiveness of this simple approach. Occupant acceptance surveys among the pupils reveal no significant differences in thermal comfort perception between the periods with business-as-usual and schedule-based controls. Practical challenges in integrating simplified controls are highlighted and underscore the importance of considering energy flexibility during the building tendering and design phase. Bridging the gap between theoretical research and real-life applications, this research contributes to the advancement of energy-flexible operation of real-life buildings.