A hierarchicalmodel predictive controller (HMPC) is proposed for flexible and sustainable building automation. The implications of a building automation system for sustainability are defined, and model predictive control is introduced as an ideal tool to cover all requirements. The HMPC is presented as a development suitable for the optimization of modern buildings, as well as retrofitting. The performance and flexibility of the HMPC is demonstrated by simulation studies of a modern office building, and the perfect interaction with future smart grids is shown.

Dual fluidized bed (DFB) gasification is a promising method for producing valuable gaseous energy carriers from biogenic feedstocks as a substitute for fossil fuels. State-of-the-art DFB gasification plants mainly rely on manual operation or single-input single-output control loops, and scientific contributions only exist for controlling individual process variables. This leaves a research gap in terms of comprehensive control strategies for DFB gasification. To address this gap, we propose a multivariate control strategy that focuses on crucial process variables, such as product gas quantity, gasification temperature, and bed material circulation rate. Our approach utilizes model predictive control (MPC), which enables effective process control while explicitly considering process constraints. A simulation study is given demonstrating how different MPC parametrizations influence the behavior of the closed-loop system. Experimental results from a 100 kW pilot plant at TU Wien demonstrate the successful control achieved by the proposed control algorithm.

Distribution networks are typically unbalanced due to loads being unevenly distributed over the three phases and untransposed lines. Additionally, unbalance is further increased with high penetration of single-phased distributed generators. Load and optimal power flows, when applied to distribution networks, use models developed for transmission grids with limited modification. The performance of optimal power flow depends on external factors such as ambient temperature and irradiation, since they have strong influence on loads and distributed energy resources such as photo voltaic systems. To help mitigate the issues mentioned above, the authors present a novel class of optimal power flow algorithm which is applied to low-voltage distribution networks. It involves the use of a novel three-phase unbalanced holomorphic embedding load flow method in conjunction with a non-convex optimization method to obtain the optimal set-points based on a suitable objective function. This novel three-phase load flow method is benchmarked against the well-known power factory Newton-Raphson algorithm for various test networks. Mann-Whitney U test is performed for the voltage magnitude data generated by both methods and null hypothesis is accepted. A use case involving a real network in Austria and a method to generate optimal schedules for various controllable buses is provided.

Demand Response can be seen as one effective way to harmonize demand and supply in order to achieve high self-coverage of energy consumption by means of renewable energy sources. This paper presents two different simulation-based concepts to integrate demand-response strategies into energy management systems in the customer domain of the Smart Grid. The first approach is a Model Predictive Control of the heating and cooling system of a low-energy office building. The second concept aims at industrial Demand Side Management by integrating energy use optimization into industrial automation systems. Both approaches are targeted at day-ahead planning. Furthermore, insights gained into the implications of the concepts onto the design of the model, simulation and optimization will be discussed. While both approaches share a similar architecture, different modelling and simulation approaches were required by the use cases.

Most typical distribution networks are unbalanced due to unequal loading on each of the three phases and untransposed lines. In this paper, models and methods which can handle three-phase unbalanced scenarios are developed. The authors present a novel three-phase home energy management system to control both active and reactive power to provide per-phase optimization. Simplified single-phase algorithms are not sufficient to capture all the complexities a three-phase unbalance system poses. Distributed generators such as photo-voltaic systems, wind generators, and loads such as household electric and thermal demand connected to these networks directly depend on external factors such as weather, ambient temperature, and irradiation. They are also time dependent, containing daily, weekly, and seasonal cycles. Economic and phase-balanced operation of such generators and loads is very important to improve energy efficiency and maximize benefit while respecting consumer needs. Since homes and buildings are expected to consume a large share of electrical energy of a country, they are the ideal candidate to help solve these issues. The method developed will include typical distributed generation, loads, and various smart home models which were constructed using realistic models representing typical homes in Austria. A control scheme is provided which uses model predictive control with multi-objective mixed-integer quadratic programming to maximize self-consumption, user comfort and grid support.