Monitoração e controle de processos térmicos em edificações por meio de um sistema distribuído

Abstract

In this work, it is presented a low cost system for monitoring and control purposes in buildings. To accomplish this tasks, a continuous monitoring systems, capable of logging electric and ambient variables, was implemented in the Research Centre for Intelligent Energy (CPEI/CEFET-MG). The gathered data is stored in a data base and becomes available via the Internet, in real time, making it possible to make more realistic studies of the energy matrix, as well as, of the actual ambient conditions of the building. The systematic assessment allows a detailed evaluation and identification of the critical points, so that more precise measures can be taken . In this work, it is proposed a control strategy for an air conditioning system based on the monitoring of the ambient conditions and other system variables. In the case of the air conditioning system (which is, in general, one of the heaviest and critical load, as far as, energy consumption is concerned, thus becoming an important point in the eciency of the process), any change in its control can represent improvement in the ambient conditions and reduction in the energy consumption. As a case study, a real air conditioning unit (of small size) has been considered, in which conventional control techniques has been applied. Since the implemented platform supports the use of more sophisticated control techniques, more significant energy profits could be expected. The considered control system, also, can be extended to other processes and systems of diverse natures. The practical aspects related to the implementation of the monitoring and control system has are described in this Dissertation. It includes the phases of the platform description, process description, mathematical modeling, definition of the control strategy, design of the controllers, practical implementation of the control system and evaluation of the results obtained in the real system.