A bottom-up approach for system integration of energy infrastructures to support energy flexibility

Energy consumption in buildings accounts for up to 40% of total energy consumption. In an effort to improve energy and environmental sustainability, buildings have been the target of a number of energy demand reduction strategies. Occupant behaviour in buildings is a key factor that significantly influences the energy consumption of buildings. Whilst researchers have focused considerable effort into understanding and developing strategies that address the impact of occupant behaviour on building energy consumption, the high-energy demand of buildings is considered a useful source of demand-side energy flexibility for the smart-grid. In addressing the influence of occupant behaviour in buildings. In harnessing the energy flexibility potentials of buildings, building energy management systems play a vital role. Traditional building energy management systems are however static and lack input of dynamic factors such as occupancy as well as occupant preference. In addition, traditional building energy management systems are limited in their ability to optimally coordinate the use of buildings energy flexibility without compromising occupant comfort on the room-level.