Use of IoT technology and artificial intelligence in energy management and control

The objective of the work is the application of Evogy’s IoT platform, called Simon, on the Humanitas healthcare “Il Fiordaliso”, located in Rozzano (MI). Through Simon functionalities, consumptions, which are divided into two main categories (air handling unit and polyvalent pump) and internal variable trends (temperature, humidity and CO2 level) have been monitored. Then, by analysing constraints of the building and data obtained, more efficient algorithms of functioning have been implemented. Furthermore, the study can be divided into four main parts: 1.??The first one, which contains the initial three chapters, describes not only the European strategies to reduce energy usage in buildings, especially in heating and cooling, with a more detailed review on the Italian policies but also, illustrates Simon functionalities by describing how it works, which devices are needed and how a new algorithm can be executed; 2.??The second part, which includes the fourth and fifth chapters, starts with the plant description to understand where and which sensors have been installed. Then, a detailed report of the thermomechanical plant (air handling unit, polyvalent pump, production of domestic hot waters and active chilled beams) is provided. Next, after having illustrated regulatory Standards, not only energy consumptions of the air handling unit and polyvalent pump before the intervention are provided, but also trends of temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide level; 3.??The third one, which holds the sixth, seventh and eighth chapters, begins with the description of the new air handling unit algorithm, based on CO2 level. So, an experimental assessment of the performance of the CO2 based ventilation control is represented. Then, after having compared the modification of both absorptions and internal variables caused by the new logic, an overview of savings obtained in energetic (primary energy saved, CO2 not delivered in the environment) and economic terms is given. Moreover, also the description of the polyvalent pump's new functioning is provided but, due to its constraints, it strictly depends on the season. Consequently, being outcomes detectable only during the heating season and being the logic implemented in May, an exact estimation of benefits achieved could not be witnessed; 4.??The fourth part, which contains the last chapters, explains how restrictions imposed by AICARR (Associazione Italiana Condizionamento dell’Aria, Riscaldamento e Refrigerazione), caused by the COVID-19 pandemic the World is facing, influence the ventilation of the building. Finally, after having compared the three operative modes of the air handling unit, conclusions and future perspectives are indicated.