Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

The objective is to develop novel renewable energy based integrated energy systems suitable for grid-friendly net-zero energy building and community applications through mathematical modelling, simulation, analysis, optimization, and development of individual components as well as their integrated systems with experimental validation from the available testing facilities and case studies. It will focus on new and innovative renewable energy technologies, such as hybrid solar photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) collectors, solar assisted heat multi-functional refrigerant switching (MFRS) heat pumps, diurnal building integrated thermal energy storage (BITES) and seasonal borehole thermal energy storage (BTES), and hybrid combinations of different systems, as well as their overall optimal design parameters and control strategies considering the building/community and their HVAC/energy system dynamics with short term weather forecast for maximum utilization of on-site renewable energy potentials while maintaining thermal comfort. Proper configuration, integration, and control of hybrid energy systems is one of the key drivers in advancing next level of energy efficiency in buildings and communities. To achieve the objective the proposed research can be loosely divided into four major subprojects with each concentrating on different but complementary aspects of the complete system. They are 1) Development of Roof and Facades based Integrated BIPV/T+ASHP +BITES Energy System, 2) Development of Cloud-Based Smart Dual Fuel Switching System (SDFSS), 3) Operational Optimization Modeling and Analysis of Smart Net-Zero Energy Solar Community, and 4) Development of Simplified Component-Based Solar Community Energy and Storage System with BTES. It is expected that smart communication and control technologies employing Internet of Things (IoT) based sensors with artificial intelligence (AI)/big data analytics will be integrated into buildings and communities and their related energy generation systems and consumption equipment so that agent based distributed and supervisory control schemes can be implemented. The results will provide realistic and accurate modeling tools for designing, assessing, and component sizing of building integrated renewable energy systems as well as community-based energy systems and their optimal control strategies. Such integrated analytical tools are currently lacking and their availability will likely promote faster adoption of these environmental-friendly, clean energy systems in buildings and communities towards the low carbon economy, which in turn will contribute positively to Canada's commitment to the environment while increasing our economic competitiveness.