MAEN4400 Automation in Building Course description

The main goal of automation systems in buildings is to ensure the right indoor climate for the lowest possible energy consumption. The subject will provide a deep understanding of control principles at different levels in building automation. Furthermore, general and special system solutions that combine heating, cooling, heat pump and ground source heating / cooling will be reviewed in a common integrated solution. Relevant programming languages/softwares will be used to develop simulation models for various regulatory analyzes for "exact regulation" and to use Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) regulation.

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After completing this course, the student has the following learning outcomes, as defined in knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge The student has

• advanced knowledge of control and control technique
• specialized knowledge of the algorithms for P, PI and PID regulators
• knowledge of the principles of DDC regulators, PLS units
• knowledge of BUS systems and central operating control systems
• specialized knowledge of contracting bodies and actuators.
• in-depth knowledge of various alternative control systems for heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting.
• knowledge of modeling and simulation of ventilation heating and air conditioning systems with regard to control and regulation

Skills The student can

• apply scientific methods to issues in control, regulation and building automation independently
• consider indoor climate, energy use and operating costs related to automation systems integrated in buildings
• Choose the right methods for control and regulation of heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting systems
• calculate the maximum capacity of the contracting bodies and find the curve shape of the characteristics
• calculate and evaluate time constant for various components of control systems
• draw and describe block diagram and Process and Instrument diagram (P&ID) for control systems
• conduct stability analysis of control systems
• analyze central operational control systems in operation and come up with the right measures to improve indoor climate functions and reduce energy consumption and operating costs

General competence The student can

• plan and execute projects that include management, regulation and building automation
• contribute to innovation and be contributors in innovation processes

Lectures, exercises and project work.

The following work requirements must be approved or admission to the exam:

• Five individual exercises related to lectures, each on two to three pages.

Renewable energy sources play a major role to bring sustainable development. In a global perspective, they have potentials to reduce the environmental and social impacts associated with energy production from conventional fossil fuel. Today, it is common to use renewable energy technology in parallel with conventional technology in the energy system.

The elective course is initiated provided that a sufficient number of students registered.

No requirements over and above the admission requirements.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student has knowledge about

• various renewable energy sources, the difference between these and fossil fuel energy sources
• technologies used to exploit renewable energy sources for thermal energy application in buildings and for the production of electricity.
• the most important processes and components used in various renewable energy based energy conversion systems
• the environmental performance of renewable energy systems

Skills

The student is capable of

• linking renewable energy and fossil fuel with a view to achieving sustainability
• comparing environmental assessments of renewable energy systems and conventional fossil fuel systems
• carrying out simple techno-economic assessments of renewable energy systems
• carrying out necessary calculations for energy production from renewable energy sources
• dimensioning solar energy systems for heating systems and electricity production

General competence

The student is capable of:

• contributing to develop renewable energy sources in complex energy systems
• working in a project on planning, building and operation of renewable energy systems integrated in buildings
• contributing to fresh thinking and innovation processes

Lectures and exercises.