Optimising the Energy Efficiency of a Building Using Smart Control Systems : designing a customised smart heating system with EnOcean hardware for hydronic heating systems to conserve energy

Abstract

This thesis, commissioned by the HAMK Smart Research Unit, aims at exploring solutions to optimising the energy efficiency of a building by using a customised IoT-based system to control the thermostats that are installed on hydronic radiators.

This thesis discusses the features of building automation, different types of control systems, the EnOcean technology, and its communication protocols. Further, it details what PLCs are and informs the reader about how PLCs and EnOcean devices can be connected to aid in bidirectional communication between the actuator and the controller.

The implementation part details how the system was designed and commissioned. The aim was to create a system that integrates EnOcean temperature sensors and HORA Smart Drive MX smart thermostats to a PLC based controller. Further, a functional description of the system is provided for better clarity about the intended functionality. The implementation part then details how the connections were made, specifications of the hardware used and the control logic.

The project was successfully implemented and is running in Room A154 of the Häme University of Applies Sciences’ (HAMK) Valkeakoski campus. After an analysis, it was concluded that the system can save up to 70% of the energy consumed by the radiators on weekdays and 90% during the weekends.