Development of method for calculation of building automation index relating to energy use and reduction based on building smartness and its potential applications

This thesis describes a new, efficient method for rating the automated building functions for both existing buildings and proposed new construction for the purpose of lowering energy consumption. Excessive energy use of buildings and large-scale structures, particularly older ones, is a significant problem that needs to be addressed within the European Union. The introduction of smart technologies, those designed to react to conditions affecting human health, safety, and comfort and provide an automated response to the problem, is one proposed means of combatting this issue. In preparation for this thesis, a ten-week internship was carried out at RINA Consulting in Genova, Italy with the Sustainability Team as a sustainability intern. During this period the use of the calculated smartness of a building’s systems, which is determined by a pre-existing process performed entirely in Microsoft Excel, as a means of rating the Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS) was explored. Once a clear method of calculation was established, this algorithm was translated into a user-friendly app developed in MATLAB App Designer. The purpose of which was to serve as a means of quickly and efficiently calculating a score to be assigned to the BACS that could be meaningfully used to make changes to the building to increase its energy efficiency and lower energy consumption and costs. As a final step, the building headquarters of the Regional Council of Lazio in Rome, Italy whose energy systems RINA was tasked with evaluating as part of an ongoing renovation process was used as an means of showing the algorithm’s capability and applications. While the results of the study determined that this building currently has a very low rating regarding both smartness and capability of its BACS, it also identified specific problem areas that will allow for clear, meaningful changes to be made going forward with this project and others like it.