A State-Space Analysis of a Single Zone Building Considering Solar Radiation, Internal Radiation, and PCM Effects

Abstract

This paper deals with the dynamic modeling of a typical single-zone building. It describes the development of a dynamic model for thermal transient analysis and its application to a simplified test case considering solar irradiation and internal radiation. The dynamic behavior of the indoor air temperature has been investigated by means of a lumped approach using a state-space representation developed in MATLAB/Simulink. A set of daily temperature profiles, which are representative of the Mediterranean climatic condition, on a few different winter days, has been used as boundary conditions for the dynamic simulations. In addition, the model has been validated using two different sets of experimental data available in the literature, both statically and dynamically. Finally, a layer of insulation with a phase change material (PCM) is applied to the single zone building to quantify its effect on the building’s behavior. The results showed that the rate and amount of energy consumption in the building with PCM are moderately lower than the building without PCM. In addition, the variation of inlet air temperature, solar effects, and energy consumption have been evaluated for a case study example, as well as comfort in transient simulation to achieve a complete evaluation of the test building investigated. A satisfactory agreement was obtained between the experimental and the simulation results and shows that the model can be used for a wide range of materials, dimensions, thermal resistances, and boundary conditions.

Energy Efficiency in Buildings and Innovative Materials for Building Construction

“…Papers [1][2][3] are focused on simulation techniques for the evaluation of the energy performance of buildings. For example, Sabina Jordan [1] and her colleagues conducted a parametric study of the influence of the occupant behavior on the energy performance of an office building provided with radiant ceiling panels for heating and cooling.…”

Development and Validation of a Roadmap to Assist the Performance-Based Early-Stage Design Process of Adaptive Opaque Facades

“…• heat gains on the outer layer, through the variable solar absorptance of the cladding can be obtained by integrating thermochromic coatings [35][36][37][38] of automated Kinetic Claddings (see Figure 1); • heat transfer, either by (a) air-flow exchange between different facade elements (see Figure 2) [39][40][41][42][43][44][45] or (b) by conduction, by modifying the thermal heat transfer of facade elements (see Figure 3) [11,[46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54]; • thermal storage, by integrating materials which have latent heat storage at ambient temperature [55][56][57][58]; • humidity air-content [59][60][61][62].…”

Modeling of Heating and Cooling Energy Needs in Different Types of Smart Buildings

“…In [19], an estimation model was developed for the heating and cooling demand of a residential building with a different envelope design using the finite element method. Authors in [20] developed a dynamic model for the thermal transient analysis of typical single-zone building considering solar irradation and internal radiation. The dynamic behaviour of the indoor temperature is simulated by a finite element model with a lumped approach using a state-space representation developed in MATLAB/Simulink.…”