Buildings with mixed residential and commercial units show relevant power peak that are further increased by shifting from gas-driven systems to electric source. The proposed solution is to organize a microgrid for such type of buildings, aggregating different users with a common electric distribution system with a single connection to the grid, a local common generation and a common heating/cooling system (electric-driven). This approach upgrades a group of independent small users with rigid loads and chaotic behavior, to a large user with a flexible and controlled profile. A central building automation control system (BACS) managing all built-in technical systems and smart appliances may control the load minute by minute, shifting in time shiftable and controllable loads and merging different kinds of loads, obtaining a flatter diagram. The authors consider the suggested approach convenient to realize demand side management (DSM) for residential/commercial buildings. DSM exploits the flexibility of smart appliances and the thermal inertia of the structure, by imposing local and central set-points of heating and cooling systems according to actual global net load and generation at a given moment. In the present paper, main aspects of the proposed control system are presented and simulations for a given case study with local PV generation are provided. Results show that this approach may lead to a power peak reduction up to 20% even in the unfavorable case of combining commercial and residential units. Moreover, full self-consumption of locally generated energy from RES may be achieved.

Users' load aggregation, control of smart appliances and exploitation of thermal inertia of buildings are among key elements to improve energy demand of buildings, towards the goals of near zero energy buildings. In this paper, we investigated a case study of an existing residential and commercial building with a microgrid and advanced technical and control systems. We have developed a model to simulate loads and the effects of control systems. The results show how increasing the extent of the microgrid and control strategies improves the load profile and energy consumption, also preserving the users' habits and comfort. Via these elements, the concept of near zero energy building can further advance towards a “near zero power building” or “zero-kilometer energy building”.

The paper proposes an innovative system of supervision and data acquisition, oriented to fire safety through a dynamic risk analysis, called SCADRA (Supervisory Control and Dynamic Risk Analysis). SCADRA achieves operation and management benefits for safety, functionality and energy optimization, by means of dynamic control and monitoring measures. A “Smart Tunnel“ can be defined as a model where technical systems are designed and installed in an advanced way, by using digital components and sensors. SCADRA has been developed to offer a complete tool (human machine interface HMI) for real time monitoring of tunnel safety by tunnel operators, integrated with the innovative dynamic risk analysis. SCADRA offers compensatory and/or supplementary safety measures for emergency management and supports fire rescue teams that are operating in tunnel in which some requirements couldn’t be realized.

Environmental concerns and European policies push for more energy efficient buildings, towards the goal of Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (nZEBs), buildings with an high efficiency and for which the low amount of energy required for the fixed technical systems (TBS) is covered by energy from renewable sources produced on-site. Innovative technical solutions and social/economic schemes are key elements to this purpose. Results on the simulation of energy performance and control system behavior of a real case are analyzed. The paper shows that the sizing of the local photovoltaic system (PV) based on the yearly energy spent by the TBS allows to obtain the nZEB qualification but it doesn't determine an optimal power behavior. The solution proposed in this work is to arrange a microgrid with a unique point of connection to the grid that includes the local generation systems, the common electric heating system by source grounded heat pumps and the residential units of a part of the buildings. Sizing of on-site power generation from renewable sources, like PV, may be developed based on the energy demand. The microgrid is managed by a common building automation control system (BACS). Control strategies have been analyzed, in order to realize demand-side management (DSM) actions, combining the advantages of thermal inertia, flexible loads, energy pricing and local generation. The DSM strategy operating on the controllable loads and on the electric and thermal storage can reach a “near zero power behavior” so the building can become a “km zero energy building” (KZEB).