WO2014140183A2

WO2014140183A2 - Method and system for energy efficient allocation of resources of a building

Info

Publication number: WO2014140183A2
Application number: PCT/EP2014/054970
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin FLOECK; Mischa Schmidt; Anett Schuelke
Original assignee: Nec Europe Ltd.
Priority date: 2013-03-15
Filing date: 2014-03-13
Publication date: 2014-09-18
Also published as: WO2014140183A3

Abstract

A method for energy efficient allocation of resources of a building, comprising: at a resource reservation tool (1 ), receiving resource reservation requests from users of the system, wherein a resource reservation request implies a set of performance requirements and/or constraints associated with a requested resource, and at an energy optimization unit (3), performing the steps of determining the available resources of the building that satisfy the performance requirements and/or constraints associated with a requested resource, applying a predefined optimization scheme that is based on energy relevant information related to the building for selecting, from said available resources of the building that satisfy the performance requirements and/or constraints associated with the requested resources, the resource that minimizes the energy consumption associated with using the resource, and allocating said selected resource to said resource reservation request.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENERGY EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES OF A BUILDING

The present invention relates to a method and a system for energy efficient allocation of resources of a building.

Energy efficiency is becoming increasingly important in a vast variety of areas. The reason for that is that on the one hand energy prices are soaring and on the other hand ecological considerations have become much more important than they were before. The considerate use of energy has therefore become imperative, both from an economical/ecological but also from an ethical perspective.

Presently, the use of meeting rooms in office, university, or similar environments leads to a wastage of provided energy. This is particularly relevant given that heating (47.8%), cooling (0.7%), lighting (15.1 %), and ICT (Information and Communications Technology) (5.5%) account for 69.2% of the total energy consumed by commerce, trade, and services (source: Arbeitsgemeinschaft Energiebilanzen e.V., 201 1 ).

Several methods have already been studied to increase the energy efficiency of building usage. Especially in the room optimization, methods have been developed to consider single-room-optimization (considered as closed environment with perfect local adjustment), up to local multi-room interplays and energy flow considerations across the different HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems.

Selected significant references on this topic are: · D. Schmidt: Methodology for the Modelling of Thermally Activated Building Components in Low Exergy Design. ISSN 1651 -5563, KTH, Stockholm .Sweden, 2004;

• D. Schmidt, M. Shukuya: New ways towards increased efficiency in the utilization of energy flows in buildings, The Second International Building Physics Conference, 2003, Belgium, pp. 671 -681., http://www.uni- kassel.de/fb6/bpy/de/forschung/ veroeffentlichungen/Publikationen03/077- Schmidt.PDF

• Leobner, K. Ponweiser, C. Dorn and F. Bleicher: Monitoring of energy flows and optimization of energy efficiency in a production facility, Recent

Researches in Geography, Geology, Energy, Environment and Biomedicine, ISBN: 978-1 -61804-022-0, 201 1 ; http://www.wseas.us/e- library/conferences/201 1/Corfu/GEMESED/GEMESED-1 1.pdf

• Kun Ji, Yan Lu, Linxia Liao, Zhen Song, and Dong Wei: PROGNOSTICS ENABLED RESILIENT CONTROL FOR MODEL-BASED BUILDING

AUTOMATION SYSTEMS, Proceedings of Building Simulation 201 1 : 12th Conference of International Building Performance Simulation Association, Sydney, 14-16 November 201 1 In view of the above it is an objective of the present invention to improve and further develop a method and a system for energy efficient allocation of resources of a building in such a way that a higher degree of energy efficiency regarding the allocation of resources of a building is achieved. In accordance with the invention, the aforementioned object is accomplished by a method comprising the features of claim 1. According to this claim such a method is characterized in that it comprises:

at a resource reservation tool, receiving resource reservation requests from users of the system, wherein a resource reservation request implies a set of performance requirements and/or constraints associated with a requested resource, and

at an energy optimization unit, performing the steps of

determining the available resources of the building that satisfy the performance requirements and/or constraints associated with a requested resource,

applying a predefined optimization scheme that is based on energy relevant information related to the building for selecting, from said available resources of the building that satisfy the performance requirements and/or constraints associated with the requested resources, the resource that minimizes the energy consumption associated with using the resource, and allocating said selected resource to said resource reservation request.

Furthermore, the above mentioned objective is accomplished by a system comprising the features of claim 14. According to this claim such a system is characterized in that it comprises

a resource reservation tool configured to receive resource reservation requests from users of the system, wherein a resource reservation request implies a set of performance requirements and/or constraints associated with a requested resource, and

an energy optimization unit configured to

to determine the available resources of the building that satisfy the performance requirements and/or constraints associated with a requested resource,

to apply a predefined optimization scheme that is based on energy relevant information related to the building for selecting, from said available resources of the building that satisfy the performance requirements and/or constraints associated with the requested resources, the resource that minimizes the energy consumption associated with using the resource, and to allocate said selected resource to said resource reservation request. According to the invention it has been recognized that an energy efficient usage of resources of the building can be achieved through a scheme that functions as a cooperative interaction control scheme between a building energy management system (BEMS) and a human planning tool, e.g. realized in form of a room booking system. Generally, embodiments of the present invention aim to address the potential for improving the energy efficiency with a resource utilization tool (e.g. a room booking system) which deploys an optimization mechanism for energy usage and resource allocation prior to the actual resource usage, thereby optimizing the building's resource utilization as well as energy management. In other words, the present invention provides a method and a system for a cooperative interaction control scheme between BEMS control manager and resource allocation based on a strong pre-execution optimization which impacts the energy efficiency of the buildings by optimization processes during the planning and preparation time, in order to find dynamically the best solution for energy-efficient management of buildings.

Embodiments of the present invention integrate technical optimization targets for an efficient energy management for buildings in a resource utilization planning tool, e.g. a room resources booking system. In this regard, holistic information synergy of human usage predictions and demands for optimized energy efficiency of buildings (energy consumption locally as well as energy flows) may be integrated into the building usage planning, represented specifically for a room booking system. Specifically, embodiments consider the energy efficiency for a particular room from planning of usage, over provisioning the room up to usage and release. The energy optimization process will be enhanced by enabling dynamic adaptions to the usage pattern in planning, predictions, performance of usage and clearance of room resources.

According to embodiments of the invention energy efficiency targets are enforced by impacting on the human environment, thereby ensuring dynamic balancing of global building occupant/tenants needs and working environment quality (comfort levels on human feelings as well as usage needs (e.g. meeting types)) while respecting the environmental demands, as well as an increased utilization of building resources in all energy systems, both during planning and execution. The present invention provides a new level and is highly applicable for all types of large office buildings where tenants support building enhancements and integrate increasing environmental aspects in their workflow.

The main advantage of the method and the system according to the present invention over existing solutions is that the pre-execution of the optimization process during the planning and preparation time has a positive impact on the energy efficiency. Through such optimization of the energy resource utilization, the present invention achieves significant energy savings and increased energy efficiency. Furthermore, the exploitation of the energy efficiency potential of a given building fully matches with the activity requirements of the occupants/tenants of the building.

At this point, it is explicitly noted that although hereinafter, in connection with the description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, reference will be made mainly to resources in form of rooms of the building, resources of the building other than rooms are intended to be included likewise, for instance resources related to the building's facilities, open areas, equipment, or the like. According to a preferred embodiment a resource reservation request for a room may include information on the intended purpose of the room reservation. Furthermore, in particular in case of a request for a meeting room, the request may include information on the number of attendees of the meeting, information on the identity of attendees, and/or information on the current location of attendees. Generally, the energy optimization unit will be enabled to achieve a higher degree of energy efficiency, the more comprehensive is the information provided together with the request.

In a specific embodiment, a meeting organizer (and optionally the attendees to be invited) may be offered by the energy optimization unit to specify meeting room preferences. In another embodiment, the energy optimization unit may offer the meeting organizer (and optionally the attendees to be invited) a selection of best candidates of meeting rooms (MRs) to reserve for the meeting in an interactive fashion.

In a preferred embodiment the request may also include information on the intended duration of room usage, the desired time slot and/or an acceptable time frame. This kind of information enables the energy optimization unit to make temporal adjustments of the scheduled starting time of a meeting, for instance by slightly postponing a meeting, in case such temporal shift turns out to be favorable in terms of energy efficiency. For instance, this may apply to cases in which a meeting room that is already properly conditioned due to a previous meeting could be used for a subsequent meeting when the beginning of the subsequent meeting is postponed until the end of the previous meeting. Thus, the energy optimization unit may suggest the meeting organizer (and the attendees) depending on available time in the meeting attendees' and MRs' allocation calendars to reschedule a meeting to an energetically better timeslot. Advantageously, the resource reservation tool maintains a list of current resource reservation requests, in particular a room booking list, which is continuously monitored. The energy optimization unit may re-compute a resource allocation solution either periodically or each time a change of the room booking list is being monitored.

According to a specific embodiment it may be provided that the energy optimization unit is configured to prefer a continuous usage of a subset of rooms. As a result, only a limited number of rooms need to be conditioned while others will not consume any energy or at least only a very limited amount of energy for basic provisions. Additionally or alternatively, it may be provided that the energy optimization unit is configured, by generating local clusters of rooms, to prefer the usage of a subset of rooms that are served by the same heating and/or ventilation branches of the building, thereby achieving an energy flow optimization in the energy systems of the building. Further resource optimizations may be achieved by re-sorting on the basis of human usage patterns, through adjacent scheduling of rooms, and/or by respecting thermal/brightness comfort context. For energy flow optimization and increased consumption efficiency, local priorities (like room clusters) respecting either infrastructure demands or human occupancy constraints may be configurable against building-global optimization goals.

According to another embodiment it may be provided that, at a predefined time period prior to a scheduled beginning of a room usage according to a room request, the energy optimization unit reappraises the initial allocation of a room to the room request based on the current conditions. In this regard a resource assignment flexibility is realized which enables further resource optimization, for instance through re-scheduling thereby integrating new booking status, weather forecast information, dynamic brightness/climate information and/or occupancy detection. According to a preferred embodiment a finalized resource allocation is communicated to a building energy management system for controlling and actuating the energy systems of the building in accordance with the performance requirements associated with the respective request.

Advantageously, the optimization scheme applied by the energy optimization unit may be based on an algorithm defining the minimization problem of a cost function. In this regard it may be provided that the variables of the cost function express different energy costs, wherein relations and prioritizations between the different energy costs are accounted for by means of weighting factors. Alternatively, the energy optimization unit can be realized by various optimization algorithms including, but not limited to, complex algorithms, implementing minimization targets, evolutionary strategies (like, e.g., genetic algorithms, or particle swarm algorithms), judging various scenarios, etc. Since persons skilled in the art are sufficiently familiar with these algorithms, a detailed description of the same is omitted here.

In order to enable the energy optimization unit to make accurate decisions in allocating selected resources to specific requests, a number of ICT components may be provided, which are configured to provide relevant information to the energy optimization unit, in particular energy relevant information related to the building. For instance, the ICT components may include a location system for tracking a meeting attendees' location, a calendaring system, a weather forecast system, or a weather station. In one embodiment the location system may be used to determine the energy costs associated with the attendees traveling from their current location to the scheduled meeting room. In this regard resource optimizations can be achieved through re-scheduling of meeting rooms on the basis of information on the current/common/expected location of the meeting participants.

In another embodiment, the energy optimization unit may suggest that one or more meeting attendees join the meeting using teleconferencing equipment if doing so reduces energy or time needed for travelling to the meeting venue and such teleconferencing equipment is available at the location of the attendee. In yet another embodiment, it may be provided that an iterative interactive process is performed in which the energy optimization unit, the meeting organizer and the meeting attendees may mutually agree on a suitable meeting venue and time, fitting preferences and meeting requirements in an energetically optimal manner.

There are several ways how to design and further develop the teaching of the present invention in an advantageous way. To this end it is to be referred to the patent claims subordinate to patent claims 1 and 14 on the one hand and to the following explanation of preferred embodiments of the invention by way of example, illustrated by the drawing on the other hand. In connection with the explanation of the preferred embodiments of the invention by the aid of the drawing, generally preferred embodiments and further developments of the teaching will be explained. In the drawing

Fig. 1 is a schematic high level overview of a system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, and

Fig. 2 is a schematic view illustrating an energy optimization unit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a system for energy efficient allocation of resources of a building in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, giving a high level overview of the single components of the system. In the embodiment of Fig. 1 resource reservation and allocation is specifically related to the reservation and allocation of rooms of the building, in particular meeting rooms, briefly denoted MR hereinafter. As illustrated in Fig. 1 , the system includes a resource reservation tool 1 in form of a booking system 2 configured to receive room reservation requests from users of the system. A room reservation request should specify a number of performance requirements and constraints associated with the requested room, for instance the number and identity of attendees of a meeting for which the room reservation is made, the type of the meeting, and the desired timeslot for the reservation. Generally, the more detailed is the information provided in the request, the higher is the potential of energy savings. The booking system 2 includes an energy optimization unit 3, which will be described in more detail in connection with Fig. 2. Generally, the energy optimization unit 3 is configured to analyze available additional information received via various information systems 4, for instance information on the utilization of available rooms, on preceding/ensuing meetings of attendees, travel information of attendees, actual and predicted ambient conditions, or the like. Again, the more detailed and comprehensive is said available additional information, the higher is the potential of energy savings. Based on said available additional information and the specifications contained in the booking request, the energy optimization unit 3 applies an optimization scheme for identifying a room to be allocated to the booking request that minimizes energy consumption.

In the embodiment of Fig. 1 it is assumed that a building energy management system (BEMS) monitors the buildings energy usage and energy flows. The planning tool for controlling the building's energy systems (including, e.g., HVAC, lightning, micro generation, energy storage) integrates the human-building interactions by exploiting the resource planning of meeting rooms via the room booking system 2. Based on this information, the energy systems are actuated and controlled to guarantee the requested working environment comfort levels and quality. The interaction between BEMS control manager and the booking system 2 is based on a cooperative concept adapting the flexibility parameters for the energy resources as well as the room resources.

As already mentioned above, the booking system 2 is used to make reservations for meeting/lecture/other bookable rooms in e.g. a corporate or a university environment. When a booking is made, an "optimal" room is suggested, taking into account usage constraints that can be user-defined, local-constraint or constraints global to the building or the tenant's business operations. "Optimal" in this sense means that for the meeting that is being arranged the amount of energy for heating, cooling, lighting, and ICT is minimised in provisioning of the room as well as during room occupancy. Energy consumption as well as energy flow constraints will be considered to increase energy efficiency.

For this purpose, i.e. for enabling an energy-optimized room booking, the booking system 2 is connected to various ICT systems 4, as discussed in more detail further below in connection with Fig. 2. The booking system 2 merges information from the ICT systems 4 with its own information about scheduled meetings and the usage patterns of the available rooms. In particular, the information the booking system 2 receives from the ICT systems 4 may include information regarding the location of its users ("tracking"), static building information (like thermal properties of the bookable resources, HVAC infrastructure layout, lighting, etc.), dynamic building data (ambient temperature, lighting levels, etc.), and/or weather data (like current and predicted temperatures, sunshine hours, etc.). Fig. 1 specifically relates to an embodiment in which the allocation of rooms involves various actions that are executed in different time windows. From left to right in Fig. 1 , these time windows include a first time window A, which is defined by the time at which the system receives an initial room booking from a user of the system. The next time window, B, is defined by the time while the actual usage of the booked room, e.g. a meeting, is approaching. This time window can be defined in a user specific way and may cover, e.g., a time period starting 24 hours and ending two hours before the beginning of a scheduled meeting. Finally, a time window C, which can also be defined in a user specific way, covers the time period immediately before the beginning of a meeting, starting for instance one hour before the scheduled meeting.

As illustrated at time window A in Fig. 1 , whenever a new booking is made, the system evaluates all available information to book the room which is best suited for the intended meeting purpose. The intended meeting purpose defines several parameters, such as required level of lighting, ventilation and cooling (based on number of attendees), flexibility for re-scheduling to other times and places, etc. The objective of the booking system 2 is to identify the room that meets all requirements made by the meeting organiser and uses the smallest amount of energy for conditioning the room and its usage. As illustrated at time window B in Fig. 1 , the booking systenn 2 continuously monitors the existing bookings and re-computes the meeting schedule every time new bookings are made. Moreover, data like weather forecasts, external/ambient conditions, outside temperatures, utilisation of the rooms, etc. are evaluated in order to determine whether a modified schedule might be more energy-efficient. This might also be the case if the energy balance of a particular meeting becomes worse while the overall energy efficiency increases.

As illustrated at time window C in Fig. 1 , shortly before the scheduled meeting, the booking system 2 performs a last evaluation of the proposed room, taking into account current ambient conditions, e.g. indoor and outdoor temperature, intake of light radiant energy through the windows, estimated required cooling or heating, current location of the attendees, etc. If re-booking the meeting to another room can achieve energy savings and all attendees can be notified of this change in time, the meeting will be re-scheduled.

Once the meeting has started, the system will monitor the meeting room in order to detect when the meeting is over so that unnecessary consumption of resources can be avoided and/or the room can be made available to other users.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates an energy optimization unit 3, hereinafter denoted Energy Optimization Logic (EOL) 5, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated the in Fig. 2, EOL 5 receives input from various ICT systems 4 via respective input interfaces, denoted 1-1 ... I-6.

Specifically, the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2 shows input from a location system 6 via interface 1-1. The location system 6 is configured to track the location of meeting attendees to assess, e.g., how many attendees would have to use the elevator of the building to reach a MR selected for the respective meeting. From this information, the overall energy costs for travelling of each attendee to the meeting venue can be calculated, as will be described in more detail below.

In addition, via interface I-2, the EOL 5 receives input from a calendaring system 7. Information received from this calendaring system 7 can be used to assess whether shifting a meeting in time is possible for all attendees, for instance whether a meeting can be postponed for a short period in time, e.g. until an earlier meeting ends that takes place in the same MR. Furthermore, EOL 5 is connected via interface I-3 to a weather forecast system 8 and via interface I-4 to a weather station 9 that provides actual weather data.

Still further, the EOL 5 is connected to a Building Management System (BMS) 10 for receiving sensor and system data of the building, e.g. information about MR temperatures, and via interface I-6 to a Building Information Model (BIM) 1 1 for receiving data on structural-physical characteristics of the building, systems of the building and/or (mechanical, electrical, and/or plumbing) services of the building, e.g. for taking into account MR building physics (in particular heat propagation, window sizes and materials, heating system layouts, etc.) when optimizing the energy usage.

The above list of input information is only meant as an example and is not limiting the present invention in any way. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, some of the above ICT systems 4 may be omitted, while other systems may be added. In case of limited availability of ICT systems 4 that can be integrated, new systems may be installed within the building (e.g. BMSs, access control, location tracking) in order to increase the effectiveness of the system, which is higher the more information is available. As also illustrated in Fig. 2, EOL 5 is connected via various output interfaces, denoted 0-1 , O-2 and O-3. In particular, via interface O-1 , EOL 5 is connected to the calendaring system 7 for updating meeting room reservations, both for the meeting attendees as well as the MRs. Via interface O-2, EOL 5 is connected to one or multiple communication systems 12 (e.g. eMail, SMS, pager, etc.) in order to communicate changes in meeting room reservations to attendees. Via interface O-3, EOL 5 is connected to the BMS 10 to enable EOL 5 to interact with a planning tool for the energy systems of the building, for instance to pre-heat or cool particular MRs. Again, the above list of output interfaces is an example only and is not limiting the present invention in any way. Technologies and data models that may be used for the interfaces include BACnet/IP, LonWorks, KNX, HTTP, XML, JSON, SIP, SDP, O-Data and OPC. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, other interfaces with similar or comparable functionality may be employed likewise.

In general, EOL 5 may be invoked directly by meeting organizers when they request a meeting (e.g. in the form of a booking system 2). In another embodiment, EOL 5 may not be interfaced by the organizers directly, but optimizes on the MR reservations for meetings booked into the system.

The EOL 5 can be realized by various optimization algorithms. In a preferred embodiment, the optimization logic is based on an algorithm defining the minimization problem of a cost function, whereby the variables express various system costs and their parameters represent the relations and prioritizations between the cost terms as weighting factors. For instance, the variables can be used to represent real cost (e.g. monetary cost), energy cost (e.g. in physical units) or system operator policies (e.g. expressing preferences to use a particular meeting room where possible). According to preferred embodiment a linear cost function can be expressed as:

Ti

1 = 1

where c; are costs associated to the energy needed to hold a meeting, and Wi are weighting coefficients for each type of energy cost.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the cost for heating ( CH), the cost for cooling (cc), the cost for lighting (a), the cost for ventilation (cv), and the cost for travelling of each attendee to the meeting venue (CT) are known. Within the context of this example, "cost" is equivalent to "amount of energy". Moreover, weighting coefficients are specified for each type of cost. The resulting cost function is as follows:

where r is the number of meeting attendees, and

CH , <¾ and cvcould be functions of ktoo.

It is generally sufficient to consider the weighting coefficients constant for a given optimisation run. However, it is also possible that the weighting coefficients w are changed by the booking system operators or users and are thus the result of a function of the user preferences: ft {UPi, UP]) -> w

In another embodiment, EOL 5 can further receive and evaluate meeting requirements such as room size or facilities (e.g. projector or conference phone) within the MR. These requirements may be expressed by boundary conditions for the optimization logic. Usually, calendar input (via I-2) is also considered boundary condition rather than weighting coefficients input.

In the following, various circumstances for energy- /^efficient meeting room (briefly denoted MR, hereinafter) assignment and usage will be discussed, together with related energy efficiency enhancements in accordance with embodiments of the present invention:

Unnecessary heating or cooling of MRs

This type of inefficiency may be caused by an already properly conditioned MR being available, but by booking another MR, which now has to be conditioned, while heating resources are wasted in the empty room.

According to an embodiment of the present invention an improvement in terms of resource optimization can be achieved by re-sorting: Here, EOL 5 automatically checks whether continuous use of a subset of MRs can be achieved, leaving another subset of MRs empty so that no heating and/or cooling is needed there. As a result, only a limited number of MRs needs to be conditioned while others will not consume any energy. In addition, MRs already conditioned on a given day can be re-used for other meetings.

According to an alternative embodiment resource optimization may be achieved through adjacent scheduling: For instance, if a time slot for a meeting room request is flexibly specified, the EOL 5 will schedule the meeting so that a well- conditioned particular MR is reutilized, increasing the resource availability and efficiency. The system not only takes into account the amount of energy needed during the actual meeting, but also the energy needed to condition the room initially so that it is ready for use.

On the other hand, the above type of inefficiency may also be caused by booking rooms at random locations, causing the provisioning of the room heating in the entire building. According to an embodiment of the present invention such kind of problems may be solved by resource optimization through local clustering, thereby realizing an energy flow optimization. Respecting the HVAC constructional conditions within the building (for instance, one ventilation/heating branch serves a number of rooms equally), meeting rooms physically adjacent to each other - system cluster - may be booked in priority to support the demand for an optimized energy flow in the building. Unrelated clusters of rooms can be avoided to be provisioned, reducing unnecessary energy consumption.

Finally, the above type of inefficiency may also be caused by not considering information on ambient / outside temperature / weather conditions, or the like. Therefore, embodiments of the present invention integrate weather information and thermal measurements in order to automatically book rooms in summer which are not too much exposed to sunlight (e.g. facing north), whereas in winter rooms, which are naturally cold/dark, are tried to be avoided, thereby achieving resource optimization respecting thermal comfort context.

Unnecessary lighting or shading of MRs

This type of inefficiency may be caused by booking MRs which have insufficient natural light, e.g. because of MRs facing north, trees blocking natural light, etc. Th eref ore, artificial light may be needed to be always switched on or at least for certain meeting purposes.

As a solution, according to embodiments of the present invention resource optimization respecting brightness comfort context may be achieved through the definition of luminosity KPIs. Based on these KPIs, the system may suggest rooms which have the best lighting conditions (brightness, natural light, and artificial lights) for the purpose of the room usage. Several use cases may be defined, e.g. presentation, meeting, maintenance/cleaning to which different lighting conditions are attached. If the scenario is specified when booking the MR, the system will allocate the MR with the most suitable lighting conditions.

Lack of flexibility / re-scheduling of booked MRs

This type of inefficiency is inherent to many prior art systems since re-scheduling of meeting rooms (for instance, caused by changing meeting purposes, participation level or the like) is considered an exceptional case by prior art systems, as the hassle and overhead is aimed to be avoided. Today, manual action with human inter-connection is needed to make a proper change. According to embodiments of the present invention resource optimization in case of re-scheduling can be achieved by integrating new booking status: The system will continuously monitor the current booking list and periodically re-computes the optimal solution when bookings are made or changed. If the new optimal room allocation solution requires moving meetings to other MRs or moving meetings to other time slots, the system will do so if the new time does not conflict with other appointments of the (e.g. priority) attendees.

Alternatively or additionally, resource optimization may be achieved through rescheduling by integrating forecast information: The EOL 5 has knowledge about the weather forecast and thermal/climate predictions. Based on this information, it can re-schedule a meeting to a more convenient time of the day, e.g. to a time when no direct and intensive sunlight is expected on the glass fagade of an MR (considering notification settings). According to another embodiment, resource optimization may be achieved through re-scheduling by integrating dynamic brightness: The system will continuously monitor the natural light. If the outside light conditions are such that an imminent meeting should be moved to another MR in order to benefit from better natural light conditions, the system will do so (considering notification settings).

According to still another embodiment, resource optimization may be achieved through re-scheduling by integrating dynamic climate information: The system will continuously monitor the outdoor and room temperature via appropriate sensors. If the temperature conditions are such that an imminent meeting should be moved to another MR so that less energy will be used for heating and/or cooling, the system will do so (considering notification settings).

Sub-optimal travel planning to meeting

Several solutions have been proposed that tackle reducing the carbon footprint of long-distance / intercontinental travel to meeting locations. However, travel on a local level (e.g. city-wide) is not typically considered when planning meetings.

According to embodiments of the present invention resource optimization through re-scheduling may be achieved by integrating expected location information of participants: The system takes into account the origins of the meeting attendees and tries to find an optimal MR, thus minimising the energy needed for travelling.

Alternatively or additionally, resource optimization may be achieved through re- scheduling by integrating the expected schedules of participants of a meeting: The system takes into account preceding or ensuing meetings of the attendees. Therefore, instead of assuming the normal office location of an attendee as the place of departure and return for the meeting, the system takes into account the real locations of the attendees before and after a meeting to find an optimal venue.

"Book-and-forget" system

Current systems have no means of assessing whether a scheduled meeting is actually taking place or whether it runs for as long as it had been scheduled. Any dynamics in recognition of the room usage is omitted. According to embodiments of the present invention resource optimization may be achieved through re-scheduling by integrating occupancy detection: The system connects to the building management system, access control system, etc. in order to determine whether a meeting room is actually in use. If a meeting ends ahead of time, cooling / heating can be shut off or another meeting can be re-booked into that room to benefit from the existing conditioning.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind of the one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

C l a i m s

1. Method for energy efficient allocation of resources of a building,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the method comprises:

at a resource reservation tool (1 ), receiving resource reservation requests from users of the system, wherein a resource reservation request implies a set of performance requirements and/or constraints associated with a requested resource, and

at an energy optimization unit (3), performing the steps of

2. Method according to claim 1 , wherein said resource reservation tool (1 ) includes a room booking tool (2) for receiving room booking requests from users of the system.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a resource reservation request includes information on the intended purpose of the resource reservation.

4. Method according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein a resource reservation request includes information on the intended duration of resource usage, the desired time slot and/or an acceptable time frame.

5. Method according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein a resource reservation request for a meeting room includes information on the number of attendees of the meeting, information on the identity of attendees, and/or information on the current location of attendees.

6. Method according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein said resource reservation tool (1 ) maintains a list of current resource reservation requests, in particular a room booking list, which is continuously monitored.

7. Method according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein said energy optimization unit (3) re-computes a resource allocation solution either periodically or each time a change of said resource booking list is being monitored.

8. Method according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein said energy optimization unit (3) is configured to prefer a continuous usage of a subset of resources.

9. Method according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein said energy optimization unit (3) is configured, by generating local clusters of resources, to prefer the usage of a subset of resources that are served by the same heating and/or ventilation branches of the building.

10. Method according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein, at a predefined time period prior to a scheduled beginning of a resource usage according to a reservation request, said energy optimization unit (3) reappraises the initial allocation of a resource to said reservation request based on the current conditions.

1 1. Method according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein a finalized resource allocation is communicated to a building energy management system for controlling and actuating the energy systems of the building in accordance with the performance requirements associated with the respective request.

12. Method according to any of claims 1 to 1 1 , wherein the optimization scheme applied by said energy optimization unit (3) is based on an algorithm defining the minimization problem of a cost function.

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein the variables of said cost function express different energy costs, wherein relations and prioritizations between said different energy costs are accounted for by means of weighting factors.

14. System for energy efficient allocation of resources of a building,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the system comprises:

a resource reservation tool (1 ) configured to receive resource reservation requests from users of the system, wherein a resource reservation request implies a set of performance requirements and/or constraints associated with a requested resource, and

an energy optimization unit (3) configured to

to apply a predefined optimization scheme that is based on energy relevant information related to the building for selecting, from said available resources of the building that satisfy the performance requirements and/or constraints associated with the requested resources, the resource that minimizes the energy consumption associated with using the resource, and to allocate said selected resource to said resource reservation request.

15. System according to claim 14, wherein said resource reservation tool (1 ) includes a room booking tool (2) configured to receive room booking requests from users of the system.

16. System according to claim 14 or 15, further comprising a number of ICT components (4) configured to provide said energy optimization unit (3) with said energy relevant information related to the building.

17. System according to claim 16, wherein said ICT components (4) include at least one of location system (6) for tracking a meeting attendees' location, a calendaring system (7), a weather forecast system (8), or a weather station (9).

18. System according to any of claims 14 to 17, further comprising a building information model for providing said energy optimization unit (3) with information regarding the building's physical structure, systems and building services (mechanical, electrical, plumbing).

19. System according to any of claims 14 to 18, further comprising an interface for communicating said selected resource to an energy management system of the building.