Innovative Projects

Based on a newly built office building in Karlsruhe, the aim of this project is to make the energy supply more flexible in an energy-efficient and system-friendly manner for modern commercial buildings, as well as, to decarbonize them to a large extent.

For this purpose, electricity is purchased primarily at times when the CO₂ intensity in the power grid is low due to increased availability of solar and wind energy, for example. This is realized by a model-predictive control, which, based on the forecast of the expected energy consumption and electricity consumption, specifically controls the large thermally activatable masses of the building.

At the beginning of the project, the existing energy system and the thermal storage in the building are analyzed and suitably modeled. Once the modeling is complete, a model-based control is developed, which creates an optimal daily schedule for the air conditioning components. External signals such as the day-ahead electricity price are used to determine the proportion of regenerative energies in the power grid. A simulative implementation of the control will take place together with the model of the plant, which is then followed by test operation and an evaluation of the operation.

Students have the opportunity to work on the project as part of their theses (Bachelor's, Master's) and as assistant students. If you are interested, please contact the project team.