Development of Smart Energy Management Algorithms for Commercial Building Retrofit

The Unity Integration Smart Energy Management System (SEMS) will be a technology that fills a critical niche in realizing the Smart Grid of the future. Green building codes are driving energy efficient design of new buildings, but the vast stock of existing buildings – responsible for 30% of Canada’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions – needs to be addressed. There is a clear need for low-cost solutions to building energy retrofit, initially in the commercial sector where the energy use and economics to do so are most favourable. To this end, Michael Fischer will research and build upon existing advanced predictive control algorithms that employ spatial illuminance and thermal modeling to realize improved energy management for commercial building lighting and heating. The control algorithms will be implemented via a low-energy and low-cost suite of wireless sensors and actuators under development at Unity, forming a robust and reconfigurable control network.

Faculty Supervisor:

Kui Wu

Student:

Partner:

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Victoria

Program:

Accelerate