Thermal Building Modeling and Simulation for the Automated Load Shifting Purposes in the Non-Residential Building Sector

The optimized control of renewable energy generated locally (e.g.: in non-residential buildings) can significantly improve the integration of distributed generation in urban electric power systems. Existing infrastructure can thus be utilized more efficiently which can lead to an increased integration of renewables into the electric grid. Through predictive and optimizing control, demands within buildings are satisfied efficiently: local as well as decentralized energy sources are used efficiently and shiftable loads are exploited using thermal and electrical storage possibilities (Demand Side Management, DSM). The present paper addresses the development of thermal building models and simulation studies for load shifting purposes in the non-residential building sector. This is seen as a prerequisite to the actual design of model based predictive controllers.