EnOptI
Optimization of load management to eliminate grid-side performance restrictions at the grid connection point of buildings and create energy added value.
The EnOptI project aims to increase the sustainability of buildings by reducing primary energy use, improving energy efficiency and flexibility in the energy network. The focus is on air conditioning technology and large consumers such as laundry and kitchen, which together account for a significant proportion of energy consumption. By digitizing the building energy networks and using AI-based forecasts, savings potential is to be tapped and energy consumption is to be flexibly adapted to current availability. The aim is to maximize self-consumption, cut peak loads and establish the building as an active part of the energy network of the future. In addition, the project should make it possible to optimally use the energy limited by the grid connection point even when loads increase in order to avoid grid bottlenecks. The project is being tested in a hotel competence center and can be transferred to various building types.
Our role in the project
Our goal in the project is the design and development of digital energy networks – Smart Nets. For this purpose, intelligent algorithms for device identification as well as for the creation of device energy schedules and their optimization are being developed. August-Wilhelm Scheer The institute also assumes project management and aims to produce scientific publications and participate in conferences and trade fairs to disseminate the project results.
work package 1
Goal: Preparation of a comprehensive requirements analysis and conception of the overall system.
Tasks of the institute:
The institute accompanies the requirements analysis workshops, within which an initial requirements catalogue is developed for the overall system as well as the subsystems in the project.
Results: Requirements analysis, documentation of system design and interfaces
work package 2
Goal: Expansion of the existing functions of air conditioning technology through optimized, holistic control using forecasts with regard to various dimensions such as shifts in heating and cooling requirements in rooms, weather data and the associated efficiency of air conditioning technology to activate and realize primary energy saving potentials.
Tasks of the institute:
The institute is involved in considering the impact of these savings potentials in the holistic building/area context.
Results: Demand- and weather-based, automated control of air conditioning to minimize primary energy consumption
work package 3
Goal: Expansion of the existing functions of the industrial devices from Miele, MKN and Mitsubishi Electric so that they can independently determine their flexibility, communicate with the higher-level Smart Net and be controlled as finely as possible. This flexibility in energy consumption can reduce peak loads. It also enables energy consumption to be shifted to times when the company generates its own renewable energy and/or when the grid is favorable.
Services of the institute:
The August-Wilhelm Scheer The institute played a key role in the requirements analysis regarding the communication of the predicted device flexibilities and the development of interfaces to the management systems.
Results:
• Industrial devices with intelligent load and flexibility forecasts
• Interfaces for controlling the devices via Smart Nets
• Expansion of device flexibility through the most precise switching options possible
work package 4
Goal: Extension of the physical building energy network to include Smart Nets: Flexible allocation of devices to the individual Smart Nets according to user requirements.
Services of the institute:
The August-Wilhelm Scheer The institute is taking over the management. This work package focuses on the design and development of smart grids. A methodology for the unambiguous identification and allocation of consumers to the smart grids is being developed and technically implemented. In addition, algorithms for creating optimized area energy schedules based on the communicated device flexibilities as well as device control options are being developed.
Result:
• Method for identifying and assigning devices to Smart Nets
• Functional SaaS tool for managing devices in Smart Nets
work package 5
Goal: Installation of the EMS in the hotel competence center and expansion of the EMS to include intelligent functionalities that can determine an overall energy schedule based on consumption forecasts from the smart nets, optimize this according to prioritization and communicate it to the smart nets. In addition, time-varying requirements from the local network operators with regard to network procurement should be taken into account.
Services of the institute:
In this step, the higher-level, intelligent EMS is developed. August-Wilhelm Scheer The institute is significantly involved in developing interfaces between the EMS and the underlying smart networks. Furthermore, the institute is involved in defining a logic for flexible prioritization of the individual smart networks.
Results:
• Aggregation and optimization of the overall energy schedule
• Interface for Smart Net communication
• Integrated, functional overall system
work package 6
Goal: Evaluation of the overall system in terms of functionality, performance and customer and user acceptance. Development of new business models for economic exploitation and optimized application scenarios.
Services of the institute:
In WP6, the evaluation of the entire system and the development of new, innovative business models will take place. August-Wilhelm Scheer The institute is conducting research together with the participating partners on the robustness and application scenarios of the overall system and its individual components.
Results:
• Selected business models and business cases
• Evaluation of the overall system
work package 7
Goal: The overall coordination of the project and ensuring the scientific and technical progress in connection with the financial aspects of the project. Administrative project tasks and partner communication as well as cooperation with other projects. Dissemination of the results and public relations.
Services of the institute:
The August-Wilhelm Scheer The institute is responsible for internal and external communication, documentation and dissemination within the project.
Results:
• External presentation of the project, project reports and results, coordination of regular project meetings
The initial situation
Overview of the need for action
The implementation of international, European and national climate targets will have a lasting impact on energy production and consumption in Germany. The required replacement of conventional energy sources with renewables AltAlternatives are making energy production increasingly volatile. This is offset by increased grid loads caused by new large-scale consumers and general electrification. The resulting growing need to leverage energy saving potential on the one hand and to harmonize energy generation and consumption on the other extends from private households to industry and public buildings to the service sector. Even without anticipating future challenges, many companies today are confronted with a grid connection that is inadequately designed to meet their performance requirements. The consequences are either capping enforced by the grid operator or non-optimized energy use, usually associated with economic losses and avoidable personnel expenditure due to manual interventions. The situation will become even more severe due to future fluctuating energy generation and the burden of new large-scale consumers. Mitigation in this case has traditionally been seen as cost-intensive grid expansion or increasing the power capacity of the grid connection point of the affected buildings. Outsourcing energy-intensive tasks, such as laundry or commercial kitchens in hotels or care facilities, can also shift peak loads. However, this approach compromises companies' flexibility and quality control.
Increased grid load due to new large consumers
Forced power capping & suboptimal energy use
Grid connection geared towards performance requirements
Economic losses & costly network expansion
Your contact person
EnOptI
Flexible and sustainable energy optimization in buildings through intelligent virtualization
Shari Alt
shari.alt@aws-institut.de
+ 49 162 2399 656
Your contact person
EnOptI
Flexible and sustainable energy optimization in buildings through intelligent virtualization
Shari Alt
shari.alt@aws-institut.de
+ 49 162 2399 656
Our solution approach in focus
EnOptI’s solution approach consists of three stages:
- top-level energy management system (EMS): An overarching energy management system aims to align the building's energy requirements with the available energy. To do this, it creates a building energy schedule that ensures that the grid connection capacity is not exceeded. This schedule takes into account both internal energy generation and control commands from the grid operator and adapts flexibly to changing grid conditions. Efficiency measures such as predictive temperature control and closed heat flows are implemented to reduce the energy consumption of large consumers.
- Smart Nets with AI-based prioritization: The second stage concerns the optimization of the smart nets that control different building zones and energy consumers. The EMS creates individual energy schedules for these smart nets. AI-based methods are used to optimize energy distribution and flexibly adapt it to the respective priority. For example, the energy supply to the kitchen appliances is linked to meal times. The impact on work processes and employee activities is also taken into account in order to create a holistic solution.
- Intelligent device communication at the lowest level: The third level is the devices themselves, which are equipped with intelligent technology and communication interfaces. These devices must forecast their load profile and flexibility and pass this information on to the Smart Net. This enables the EMS to optimise energy distribution and identify unnecessary consumers and anomalies. This decentralised intelligence in the devices ensures modularity and simplicity of the overall system.
The modular structure of the management system – EMS and Smart Net Management – enables efficient, flexible and transparent energy management in the building, which can also be transferred to other building types.
Funding notice
The EnOptI project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.
Funding code: 03EN1093A
Running time: 01.10.2024-30.09.2027
