Design of optimized energy system based on active energy-saving technologies in very low-energy smart buildings

The International Energy Agency proclaims that the energy utilization by commercial buildings makes up 28% of the world's total energy consumption. This research is aimed at finding various optimum ways to minimize energy consumption for existing commercial buildings. A three-layer framework is proposed to achieve active energy saving and to transform an existing building into very low-energy building. The building considered is the postgraduate studies research lab that can have 15 workstations. The building site (envelop) is made scalable by dividing the site area into zones and each zone is monitored via a sensor node, which monitors occupant behavior and acts as a controlling agent between the source and the load. The use of photovoltaic as renewable generation is a sustainable and environment-friendly way and thus, is added to the existing building to conserve energy. A 6 kW grid-tied monocrystalline photovoltaic-based renewable energy system has been added to the building to meet energy requirements and envisage its aftereffect on the energy conservation. The energy-efficient appliances have been used as loads to minimize the energy consumption. The installed system has a payback period of 6 years, while the proposed framework can achieve maximum energy efficiency of 90%.