Empa

Open Opportunities

Impact of building modelling on the flexibility potential of a prosumer unit Empa Urban Energy Systems In recent years, the penetration of renewable energy resources in distribution grids has been steadily increasing, raising new challenges for power grids. Due to their large inertia, individual buildings may regulate their heating system to help stabilizing the electric network. In our previous work, we designed an energy management system that self-exports a flexibility envelope to a system operator [1]. The envelope contains the maximal and minimum energy that the household can consume over an horizon of a day, considering some uncertainties on the weather and model errors. However, the flexibility potential of prosumers highly depends on the underlying building model. On the one hand, a more complex model should yield more reliable results, reducing the uncertainties and therefore increasing the usable flexibility potential. On the other hand, it requires extensive data and engineering design. This project aims at studying the impact of the epistimistic modelling uncertainty on the controller decisions and the flexibility potential of households. Some work already analyzed the impact of building models on an MPC controller. In this project, we would like to extend the analysis to the flexibility potential of prosumer units based on the flexibility envelope concepts used in previous works. [1] Gasser, J., et al., Predictive energy management of residential buildings while self-reporting flexibility envelope. (2021), Applied Energy, 288, p.116653 Building Science and Techniques, Optimisation, Stochastic Analysis and Modelling Master Thesis

Use of demand-side flexibility to alleviate congestions in distribution networks Empa Urban Energy Systems In recent years, the penetration of renewable energy resources in distribution grids has been steadily increasing, raising new issues such as voltage violations or line congestions. Due to their large inertia, individual buildings may regulate their heating system to help distribution system operators alleviating these congestions. In our previous work, we designed an energy management system that self-exports a flexibility envelope to a system operator for system-level dispatch [1]. The envelope contains the maximal and minimum energy that the household can consume over an horizon of a day. Now, we would like to employ this information to reduce congestions in distribution grids. [1] Gasser, J., et al., Predictive energy management of residential buildings while self reporting flexibility envelope. (2021), Applied Energy, 288, p.116653. Building Science and Techniques, Electrical Engineering, Optimisation Master Thesis

Robotic Sensing Platform for Building Automation Empa Materials and Technology Center of Robotics Smart homes can increase energy efficiency in buildings. However, the installation cost in existing building is very high. This interdisciplinary project aims to utilize robotic systems to perform building automation tasks and validate the performance in comparison to a smart home with advanced building automation and control systems (BACS) in close collaboration with the Urban Energy Systems Lab at Empa. Mechanical Engineering, Robotics and Mechatronics Master Thesis

Development of a supervised ml model for occupant detection in smart buildings Empa Urban Energy Systems A robust, grey-box approach for occupant detection based on indoor air quality data is developed, using previous development and Empa NEST's infrastructure. Architecture, Urban Environment and Building, Information, Computing and Communication Sciences Semester Project

Studying gold-nanoparticle self-assemblies in biological environments: a basic understanding for drug delivery systems Empa Center for X-Ray Analytics The goal of this project will be to create nanoparticle self-assemblies from gold and proteins with specific size, shape and ordering so that these systems can be used as models for applications in drug delivery. Their structure will primarily be characterized by scattering techniques such as small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) as well as transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Other characterization techniques will also be explored. Cellular Interactions (incl. Adhesion, Matrix, Cell Wall), Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Colloid and Surface Chemistry, Condensed Matter Physics-Structural Properties, Electronmicroscopy, Xray Crystallography Internship, Master Thesis, Semester Project

Multi-Agent Deep Reinforcement Learning for Building Control Empa ehub Buildings are very large energy consumers, and smart control algorithms can help mitigate this issue. Since buildings are often separated in different thermal zones coupled through thermal exchanges, multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL) algorithms are promising candidates. The objective of this work will thus be to implement MARL agents and investigate their performance in minimizing the energy consumption of a building while maintaining the comfort of the occupants, both in simulation and during the deployment in the actual building. Engineering and Technology, Neural Networks, Genetic Alogrithms and Fuzzy Logic Master Thesis

Integration of small-scale data centers in multi-energy building systems Empa Urban Energy Systems Small-scale data centers will considerably grow due to an increase in edge computing and real-time data through IOT sensors. They can be operated flexibly to match intermittent renewable energy generation and building energy demand. As such this provides interesting opportunities for the operation of multi-energy systems at the building level. This master project covers the topic of small-scale edge data centers (below 250 kW) in the context of multi-energy systems. It aims to evaluate different design concepts for the efficient implementation of small-scale data centers in buildings using the Ehub tool. Engineering and Technology Master Thesis

Building Model Identification Supported by a Robot Empa ehub The building sector is responsible for more than one third of the energy consumption and CO2-emissions worldwide. In industrialized countries around half of this energy is used for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) [1]. Improving the energy efficiency of buildings has therefore a significant impact on mitigation climate change. However, renovating the building envelope or HVAC system of already existing buildings is relatively expensive and causes slow diffusion. In contrast, integration or upgrading of heating or cooling control systems and optimizing its operation can be done at comparatively low costs, realizing fast impact. While Model Predictive Control (MPC) is considered the gold standard for climate control in buildings, a crucial part of MPC is the identification of an accurate model of the building. Here, traditional system identification methods still outperform purely data-driven modelling techniques such as the ones presented in [2]. However, first principle based building modelling is associated with many tedious tasks such as mapping of the floor plan and inventory, or identification of several system parameters (e.g. thermal resistance of walls). If an experienced engineer has to perform these tasks for each building individually, MPC might not be economically feasible. However, robots such as vacuum cleaner robots or in the future personal service robots are becoming more and more present in residential and commercial buildings. With some upgrades such robots could support or potentially even take over the above mentioned model identification duties. Moreover, a robot could potentially improve the model accuracy and consequently also the control performance by collecting additional information (e.g. wall temperatures, room temperatures with spatial resolution, etc.) and actuate previously non-reachable actuators (e.g. windows, doors, or blinds). Engineering and Technology Master Thesis

Software Engineer for urban energy system modelling (20% or more, paid position) Empa Urban Energy Systems We are looking for a software engineer to develop and maintain an MILP based energy system optimization library in an interdisciplinary team. Engineering and Technology, Mathematics, Other Mathematical Sciences Student Assistant / HiWi

Laser-based patterning for monolithic interconnection of thin-film tandem solar modules Empa Thin Films & Photovoltaics Thin-film tandem solar cells using perovskite and Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) photovoltaic ab-sorbers have shown excellent efficiencies on small area cells (< 1 cm2), and show potential to surpass single-junction efficiency limits. The transition from cell to module level of these exciting technologies requires mono-lithic interconnection, were small cell strips are connected in series through patterning approach (see Figure). At Empa, we have utilized laser-based patterning to realize CIGS and perovskite single-junction mini-modules. We want to develop similar patterning approach for high-efficiency thin-film tandem architecture with perov-skite-CIS material system. Engineering and Technology, Physics Master Thesis, Semester Project