Occupant comfort in Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (nZEB) by using the building structure for demand side management (DMS)

Abstract

This research project aims to increase the application range of Thermally Activated Building Systems (TABS). Usually TABS are used for heating and cooling purpose of buildings. The application range of the usage as energy storage element is limited by the surface temperature of the element to avoid overheating. Via a thermal decoupling of the thermal activated part with insulation from the building structure, it is possible to use TABS as an thermal energy storage. The results show a significant opportunity to time-shift the purchase of energy. The results show that it is possible to use TABS as a thermal energy storage element. It’s shown that the purchase of electrician energy for heating purpose can be shifted to economical or ecological optimal time points, for example if renewable energy is abundant in the electrical grid. The heating demand, covered by thermally charged TABS elements can be supplied by a fraction of 95%. Common TABS with a limited surface temperature can reach a coverage rate of 64 %. Nevertheless, the mean air temperature increases for this task by 1.1 K and the heat demand by 15.0 %.