Reduction of Energy Demand in Buildings through Optimal Use of Wireless Behaviour Information (Wi-be) Systems

最近非常低功率(例如，电池供电)的无线传感器、网络和个人通信设备的出现使得无线系统的探索成为可能，这些无线系统既用于监控个人能源使用，也用于将信息直接反馈给责任人。它们基于静态无线传感器，利用低成本、小体积、低功耗的数字无线电(ZigBee)，以及使用RFID和超宽带(UWB)射频技术的实时用户位置传感器。低成本、低功耗的用户反馈技术包括基于Ekahau Wi-Fi的设备和移动电话。Wi-BE系统真正以用户为中心，有望推动行为改变和大幅减少能源需求：它是对智能计量技术的补充，在帮助识别具体的浪费能源使用、要采取的行动和采取这些行动的人方面迈出了重要的一步。与智能电表不同，智能电表应以特定的反馈格式[11]提供总能耗数据，Wi-BE方法形成了一个人/建筑能源技术接口，承诺更大的能源行为变化，可广泛复制和适应未来的能源技术情景。如果在一段时间内实施和使用，它可能会带来持久的行为变化，从而提高能源利用效率。然而，这项技术的发展带来了信息和通信技术、建筑能源和用户行为方面的相互关联的挑战，到目前为止，这些挑战大多是单独研究的。需要的是一项多学科研究，以改变对Wi-BE技术的理解，以确保其有效性和成功采用。在一项新合作的基础上，这项研究将为有效实施这项技术提供工具、指导和极大地提高理解，从而导致持久和显著减少能源需求。具体目标包括：1.建立最先进的超低功耗Wi-BE系统，用于监测和传达住宅和非住宅建筑中的个人能源行为。这将涉及建筑内和身体上的传感器，并将安装在一栋办公楼和一座房屋中，用作综合研究的试验台：2.通过整合以下内容对Wi-BE进行跨学科评估：a.传感器网络研究-确定在建筑和身体传感器方面什么是实用的，以捕捉低能效行为；B.无线研究--对无线传感器信号传播进行建模，以确定无线传感器、网络和其他相关通信设备的物理部署的最佳配置(例如，位置、功率水平)和物理部署的潜在限制，这些设备在非常低的功率(因此非常长的电池寿命)下运行；c.行为研究--确定向个别能源用户提供传感器数据的最佳反馈界面、格式和时间，以便在刺激即时行动和持久的行为改变方面取得最佳效果；d.建筑能源研究--评估建筑物能源需求、供应和用户行为之间的相互作用，以及基准，及其对反馈给用户的最佳安排的影响；3.让用户、制造商和其他利益攸关方参与，以确保成果的质量和相关性，并将其有效传播用于商业部署。在这项可行性研究中确立的综合方法的传播，将使今后能够部署到大规模评估和商业开采中。

The recent availability of very low power (e.g., battery powered) wireless sensors, networks and personal communication devices has enabled the exploration of wireless systems for both monitoring personal energy use and for feeding back the information directly to individuals responsible. These are based on static wireless sensors utilising low cost, small, low power digital radio (ZigBee) and real-time user location sensors using RFID and Ultra-wideband (UWB) radio frequency technologies. Low cost, low power, user feedback technologies include Ekahau Wi-Fi based devices and mobile phones.The Wi-be system is truly user-centric and promises huge potential for instigating behaviour change and substantial energy demand reduction: it complements the smart metering technology and takes a significant step further in helping to identify specific wasteful energy use, actions to take and the persons to take them. Unlike the smart meter, which is expected to provide overall consumption data in specific feedback formats [11], the Wi-be approach forms a people/building energy technology interface that promises much greater energy behaviour changes that are widely replicable and adaptable to future energy technology scenarios. When implemented and used over a period of time, it could potentially bring about a durable behavioural change leading to efficient energy uses.However, development of this technology gives rise to inter-related challenges spanning ICT, building energy and user behaviour, which so far are largely being researched in isolation. What is required is a multi-disciplinary study to bring about a step change in the understanding of Wi-be technology to ensure its effectiveness and successful uptake. Based on a new collaboration, the study will provide tools, guidance and vastly improved understanding for effective implementations of the technology that would result in durable and significant reduction of energy demand. Specific objectives include:1. Construct a state-of-the-art very-low-power Wi-be system for monitoring and communicating personal energy behaviours in both domestic and non-domestic buildings. This will involve both in-building and on-body sensors and will be installed in an office building and a house, to be used as test beds for the integrated research:2. Conduct cross-disciplinary assessment of Wi-be by integrating the following: a. Sensor Network Research - determining what is practical, in terms of building and body sensors, in order to capture energy-inefficient behaviour; b. Wireless Research - modelling of wireless sensor signal propagation to ascertain the optimum configurations (e.g., location, power levels) and potential limitations to physical deployment of wireless sensors, network and other related communication devices operating at very low power (and consequently very long battery life); c. Behavioural Research - determine the optimum feedback interface, format and timing of sensor data presentation to individual energy users in order to achieve the best effects on stimulating immediate action and durable behavioural change; d. Building Energy Research - to assess interactions between building energy demand, supply and user behaviour, as well as benchmarks, and their implications for optimum arrangement for feedback to users;3. To engage users, manufacturers and other stakeholders to ensure quality and relevance of the results and their effective dissemination for commercial deployment. Dissemination of the integrated methodology, established in this feasibility study, will permit future deployment into large scale assessments and commercial exploitation.