DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN INTEGRATED PLATFORM FOR ENERGY AND INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

Abstract

This study describes a single integrated platform implemented at a workplace with a hybrid cooling system at the National University of Singapore (NUS). A mobile application was developed using an open-source home automation platform, open Home Automation Bus (openHAB) and its bindings with Raspberry Pi as the control unit. Through the mobile application, the occupants can control the smart ceiling fans and smart plugs at the workplace. The integrated platform enables the occupants to visualise and monitor their daily power and energy consumption. The visualisation of data and mobile control are energy-saving intervention techniques to encourage behaviour change in the workplace. There is a need to evaluate the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) performance in the selected workplace due to a lack of an accurate standard for buildings with both natural and mechanical ventilation. In addition, the degradation of IEQ has an unfavourable influence on the occupants’ well-being and health in the workplace. Hence, the occupants’ perceived comfort and satisfaction were assessed through an online survey. A total of 93 continuous responses were obtained from 9 participants. Three factors namely, temperature, air movement, and air quality were asked in the survey and the responses were analysed with the measured readings from the indoor air quality (IAQ) sensors and the measured ceiling fan speed values. The optimal temperature, humidity, and ceiling fan speed were deduced to supply a comfortable and satisfactory environment condition for the occupants in the long term.