Comparing different approaches to define shading control threshold via a new automatic building simulation platform

Abstract

Active shading systems are essential to prevent heat gains in buildings and reduce the risk of overheating phenomena. The control logic must avoid overheating while allowing solar gains during heating hours. In general, smart control is based on a temperature and/or solar irradiation threshold; however, innovative informatics tools now allow optimising these thresholds based on specific building and climate characteristics. The paper presents a new building energy dynamic simulation platform used here to define optimal shading control thresholds for free-running and mechanically cooled spaces. Several shading control approaches are applied and compared, considering fixed hourly schedules, controls based on standard thresholds, and optimised thresholds with the tool. The analysis is performed considering the sole summer. The approach shows how the developed platform and the proposed methodology can optimise shading control thresholds, considering the specific building characteristics and the local climate conditions, consequently reducing energy needs or thermal discomfort conditions.