Numerical Analysis of the Impact of Thermal Inertia from the Furniture / Indoor Content and Phase Change Materials on the Building Energy Flexibility

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Abstract

Many numerical models for building energy simulation assume empty rooms and do not account for the indoor content of occupied buildings. Furnishing elements and indoor items have complicated shapes and are made of various materials. Therefore, most of the people prefer to ignore them. However, this simplification can be problematic for accurate calculation of the transient indoor temperature. This article firstly reviews different solutions to include the indoor content in building models and suggests typical values for its characteristics. Secondly, the paper presents the results of a numerical study investigating the influence of the different types of thermal inertia on buildings energy flexibility. Although the insulation level and thermal mass of a building envelope are the dominant parameters, it appears that indoor content cannot be neglected for lightweight structure building simulations. Finally, it is shown that the integration of phase change materials in wallboards or furniture elements can appreciably improve the energy flexibility of buildings.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 15th IBPSA Conference : Building Simulation 2017
EditorsCharles S. Barnaby, Michael Wetter
Number of pages8
Volume15
PublisherInternational Building Performance Simulation Association
Publication date2017
Pages35-42
Article number12
ISBN (Electronic)978-1-7750520-0-5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017
EventThe 15th International Conference of IBPSA - Hyatt Regency San Francisco, 5 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA 94111, San Francisco, United States
Duration: 7 Aug 20179 Aug 2017
Conference number: 15
http://www.buildingsimulation2017.org/

Conference

ConferenceThe 15th International Conference of IBPSA
Number15
LocationHyatt Regency San Francisco, 5 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA 94111
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Francisco
Period07/08/201709/08/2017
Internet address
SeriesBuilding Simulation Conference proceedings
Volume15
ISSN2522-2708

Keywords

  • Thermal mass
  • Numerical analysis

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