Case study of energy storage installed in commercial plaza

Can a BMS control solar power in a commercial building?

This study is unique as it examines how a commercial building with integrated chilled water thermal energy storage (TES) and a 3.2-ML chilled seawater aquarium system can be controlled by a BMS to optimise solar power to manage peak energy demand and also increase the utilisation of generated PV power in the absence of electrical battery storage.

Can thermal energy storage be integrated into buildings?

Control strategies for the integration of thermal energy storage into buildings: state-of-the-art review. Energy and Buildings, 106 (November 2015), 203–215. The data collection in this case study was funded by the GBRMPA with two exceptions: Ergon Energy funded two energy audits and an M&V report for the Demand Management Pilot programme.

Can a retrofitted building management system optimise the use of solar PV?

This study details the programming of a retrofitted building management system (BMS) to not only control lighting, machinery, the internal building environment and an HVAC system with integrated chilled water thermal energy storage (TES), but to also optimise the use of solar PV generation.

Are low-cost energy saving measures effective in a commercial building?

This case study shows that it is possible to adopt very low-cost energy saving measures (such as indoor temperature adjustments and better maintenance of HVAC) in a commercial building with no significant negative effects on comfort or employee productivity.

Is battery storage a cost effect?

Since HVAC energy demand in most buildings represents a high proportion of power demand and electrical battery storage for PV power remains expensive, this solution may represent a cost effect way to minimise battery storage.

How much energy does the building sector use?

In developed countries, the buildings sector (residential, commercial, and public) uses between 20 and 40% of final energy consumption (Perez-Lombard et al. 2008 ). In Australia, the buildings sector represents approximately 23% of Australia’s total greenhouse gas emissions (Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council 2008 ).