Research on energy optimization systems for intelligent buildings based on adaptive facades and renewable energies.
Plug-n-Harvest is a 4-year project, funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme. The main strategic objective of the PLUG-N-HARVEST proposal is to design, develop, demonstrate and exploit a new modular and plug-n-play concept/product for ADBE (Adaptive/Dynamic Building Envelopes), deployable for both residential and non-residential use. commercial. residential buildings – which is capable of providing high (maximum possible) and high (maximum possible) energy use reductions from RES (Renewable Energy Sources) at both the single building and district scale, while requiring medium to low installation and almost zero operating costs. Furthermore, by appropriately exploiting its modular and plug-n-play attributes, the PLUG-N-HARVEST system will be designed and implemented considering circular economy principles, which will allow the implementation of new business models based on leasing and rental modes and, through this , leaving the door open to the massive implementation of such solutions.
How does it work
The PLUG-N-HARVEST system aims to transform static building envelopes into active assets by implementing available energy harvesting, storage and thermal comfort affecting elements capable of dynamically adapting to available exogenous energy assets. . In order to enable maximum exploitation of available ambient energy, the PLUG-N-HARVEST system aims to transform static building envelopes into active assets by implementing available energy harvesting, storage and thermal comfort affecting the elements capable of dynamically adapting to available exogenous energy assets. In order to allow maximum exploitation of the environmental energy available and free for the user and the microclimate (indoor and outdoor), PLUG-N-HARVEST improves its operational capabilities by imposing intelligence, adaptation, cognition, security and protection. Mechanisms based on information and communications technology at the building and district levels. The planned architectural topology comprises four main functional layers according to their responsibilities and origin: (i) Adaptive Dynamic Building Envelope (ADBE): consisted of a flexible aluminum façade design with a high insulation layer and energy harvesting enabling elements, (ii) Interconnected Elements Ecosystem (IEE): interconnection of existing and new detectable and controllable elements within a unified network, (iii) Security and Protection Mechanisms (SSM): consists of protection and security elements that form an ICT-based encrypted shield for the acceptable operation of the digital modules developed from PLUG-N-HARVEST, and; (iv) Energy Management Systems (EMS): Consisted of interoperable ICT-based energy management tools at building (IMCS) and district scale (DRFFO and OEMS).
The innovation
The implementation of the PLUG-N-HARVEST solution leads to the generation of important key exploitable results and the novel knowledge produced paves the way for the improvement of energy harvesting and energy management systems. The benefits generated by the implementation of the system will ensure the establishment of more holistic and energy efficient methodologies for residential and commercial buildings, building blocks, districts, smart cities, etc. The attribute of PLUG-N-HARVEST to offer optimal coordination of all Different storage and RES systems, both at the building and district level, while being cost-effective, are expected to provide the basis for new approaches to active energy harvesting. Furthermore, the data generated over the life of the PLUG-N-HARVEST project will form a valuable asset and lead to useful conclusions and directives.
The Plug-n-Harvest project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement number 768735.
