DESIGO -

Energy-efficient applications:
TABS Control

Application datasheet

Answers for infrastructure. s

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Table of contents

1 Brief introduction to TABS Control .......................................................5

2 Basics.......................................................................................................6
3 TABS control ...........................................................................................8
3.1 Overview ...................................................................................................8
3.2 The principal functions ..............................................................................9
3.2.1 Heating and cooling curve module............................................................9
3.2.2 Sequence control module .......................................................................10
3.2.3 Room temperature control mode ............................................................10
3.2.4 Cycle operation module (Energy efficiency module) .............................. 11
3.2.5 Additional functions................................................................................. 11
4 Energy savings......................................................................................12
5 Planning manual: TABS control ..........................................................13
6 Engineering tool TABSDesign .............................................................13
7 Advantages and customer benefits ....................................................13
7.1 Advantages .............................................................................................13
7.2 Customer benefits ...................................................................................14
8 Field of application ...............................................................................14
9 Display and operation ..........................................................................15
10 System hardware ..................................................................................15
11 Field devices..........................................................................................15
12 Versioning..............................................................................................15
13 Comprehensive operation....................................................................16
14 Appendix................................................................................................17
14.1 Plant components ...................................................................................17
14.2 Supported and recommended hydraulic circuits.....................................18
15 About this document ............................................................................19

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1 Brief introduction to TABS Control
Thermally activated building systems (TABS) refers to heating and cooling
transmission systems taking advantage of large surface areas and integrated in the
building structure. These type of systems take advantage of a building's mass,
usually structural floors and slabs to thermally condition a building. Either TABS
alone, or TABS supplemented by auxiliary systems, heats or cools the space. The
concept required to thermally condition rooms places the highest possible
demands on control technology. Siemens has recognized this fact and conducted
intensive research together with renowned Swiss scientific institutions (EMPA, part
of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lucerne University of Applied
Sciences and Art). Comprehensive simulations under real-world conditions were
conducted to research and develop new control strategies.
DESIGO TABS control meets these challenging requirements using a patented
process and controls TABS zones for year-round fully automated operation.
Innovative control functions including cyclical operation, i.e. where TABS controls
thezone water circulation pump, deliver even greater benefits; including savings of
up to 60% on the electricity required to operate such pumps in a typical office
building.
The innovative application is modular in design. The base control strategy can be
extended by optional modules to improve comfort and/or energy efficiency
depending on given requirements and TABS plants.

Figure 1-1
Rough diagram of a TABS plant – the TABS Control application is responsible for controlling the TABS
zone(s)

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 2 Basics
Ever greater demands placed on room conditions, as well as a growing awareness
of the need to reduce energy consumption, demand new forward-looking building
concepts. Thermally Activated Building Systems (TABS) is an innovative
technology that rises to the challenge.
Thermally activated building systems (i.e. typically the building structure) are
considered a targeted part of energy management to increase energy efficiency.
However, the rapidity of heat and cold transfer is deterred by the considerable
system inertia inherent in the thermal activation of a large mass. This must be
considered for control and when engineering TABS. Matching is dynamic in nature
throughout the entire daytime, nighttime cycle.

Heating and cooling using tube heat exchangers embedded in concrete

elements
The concrete floors are used for most TABS applications as the heat and cold
transfer system within the building. This is referred to as concrete core temperature
control. To this end, coils consisting of plastic or composite tubes are cast directly
in the concrete core of the slabs or floors. As most heat transfer takes place
through the ceiling and not the floor, the tubes are often fixed nearer to the
thermally effective ceiling surfaces (see Figure 2-1). The tubing systems form
closed water circuits used to heat or cool the concrete thermal mass. System
temperature differentials (i.e. the difference between flow and return temperatures)
can be held at minimum, due to the relatively large transfer area. The exposed
concrete surfaces provide a natural temperature adjustment to the adjoining
rooms.
The concrete floor absorbs excess heat and cools the room. The level of self-
regulation is quite high due to the low system temperature differential. This effect
lessens undesired under cooling or overheating of individual rooms within a TABS
zone. The high degree of thermal storage makes it possible to time-shift plant
operation. Auxiliary systems are required to provide individual room temperature
control within a TABS zone. A flow temperature approaching the room temperature
allows operators to efficiently heat, for example, using heat pumps.
Environmentally friendly sources of cooling energy include free cooling, re-cooling,
or ground water cooling..
Buildings featuring TABS have a high level of room comfort. This is achieved by
carefully initiating measures that are matched to one another consisting of the
following basic elements: very good heat and solar protection, sufficient thermal
building storage capacity, sealed exterior shell together with basic ventilation and
air exchange sufficient to ensure proper hygiene as well as heat recovery.
And of course, integrated engineering is extremely important to achieve continuous
levels of energy efficiency for the overall system.

Advantages
– As well heat delivery for heating as heat absorption for cooling takes occur by
the thermally activated building systems with their large transfer surfaces
– Low system temperature differentials (due to the large transfer surfaces).
– Efficient use of natural sources of energy: e.g. heating using heat pumps or
cooling from free cooling, re-cooling or ground water cooling.
– Time-shifted heat delivery and heat absorption by means of large thermal mass.
– Use of cooler outside air at night during the summer or operation of heat pumps
during periods when electrical tariffs are lower.

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– Energy efficient, self-regulating heat and cold generation control of the room
temperature.
– Low building and maintenance costs.

Constraints
– Additional inertia caused from ceiling/flooring, e.g. raised floors, suspended
ceilings or insulation must be considered.
– Thermal comfort cannot be adjusted to suit everyone: a certain level of room-
temperature fluctuation throughout the day must be expected.
– Challenging engineering, especially with regard to heat loads that must be
estimated as part of the planning process.

Figure 2-1
Embedded pipework for tempering the exposed ceiling (Source: Zent-Frenger)

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 3 TABS control
3.1 Overview

TABS require special control for zones, energy generation and distribution. They
can be dealt with in the same manner as for other heat and cold transfer systems.
Zone control distributes heat and cold within a TABS zone based on demand. The
same flow piping generally supplies multiple rooms, i.e. the rooms are grouped into
zones.
The TABS control application controls the flow temperature for a zone dependent
on climatic conditions using two modulating valves and a pump. The TABS control
application is divided into four modules (see Figure 3-1):
– Room temperature control to increase comfort level (1).
– Heating and cooling curves (including heating and cooling limits) to determine
flow temperature (2).
– Cycle operation to increase overall energy efficiency (3).
– Sequence control (4).

Figure 3-1
Modular design of TABS control application
BscMdl Basic module Hcrv Heating curve
Ccrv Cooling curve SeqCtl Sequence control
CycMod Cycle operation TRCtl Room temperature control

Basic module
At a minimum, the basic modules heating and cooling curves (2) as well as
sequence control (4) are required for zone control.

Supplementary modules
A room-temperature control module (1) can be used as an option to increase
comfort level. The cycle operation module (3) can be used as an option to operate
the zone pumps intermittently and to adjust the temperature of the concrete core in
an environmentally and less costly manner.

The principal functions are explained in greater detail below.

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3.2 The principal functions
3.2.1 Heating and cooling curve module

Advantages:
– High level of room comfort.
– Fully automatic changeover between heating and cooling.
– Permits/disables general heating or cooling operations dependent on outside
temperature.
– Scheduled shift of flow temperature setpoints
(e.g. weekend operation).

The innovative heating and cooling curve module controls flow temperature for one
heating circuit. The heating and cooling curves are based on mean outside air
temperature over the past 24 hours (sliding time window). The heating and cooling
curve is derived on the mean outside air temperature and the required flow
temperature setpoint to ensure the desired level of room comfort.
The nominal heating and cooling curves apply to the nominal room temperature
setpoints for heating and cooling. The heating and cooling curves are adjusted
accordingly when the desired room temperature setpoints do not equal the nominal
room temperature setpoints.
The time scheduled shift of the heating and cooling curves is used when it is known
in advance that heat gains will vary significantly in the rooms of a zone on specific
days. This shift is typically used to compensate for a lack of heat gain caused by
non-occupancy over the weekends or during the holidays. The heating and cooling
curves are adjusted upward for these periods.
The heating and cooling limits are established based on the average outside air
temperature, which in turn enables heating and cooling modes. The module can be
optionally configured for Summer/Winter compensation to further improve comfort
conditions.

Figure 2-3
Heating and cooling curves as well as heating and cooling limits.
Note: The cooling limit can be lower than the heating limit (as is the case here)

Ccrv Cooling curve HLm Heating limit

CLm Cooling limit MovAvTOa Moving average outside temperature
Hcrv Heating curve ZTFl Zone flow temperature

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 3.2.2 Sequence control module

Advantages:
– Demand-dependent changeover between heating and cooling mode.
– No simultaneous heating and cooling.
– Supports purge function for energy-efficient cycle operation.

The sequence control module controls valves and pumps for the heating and
cooling mixing circuit. This type of control was predestined for a hydraulics
topology that allows the zone to draw hot or cold water and control the flow
temperature via separate heating and cooling valves.
Control of the flow temperature to the preset flow temperature setpoint range
occurs using a sequence controller with two sequence elements (similar to supply
air control for ventilation plants).
The purge operation acts on the zone pump and valves: The zone pump is
switched on and the valves closed to allow for circulation of the heating/cooling
media within the zone. The purge mode is needed to acquire the concrete core
temperature after a switch-off phase and to determine the next heating or cooling
action.

3.2.3 Room temperature control mode

Advantages:
– High level of room comfort.
– Adjustment to the room temperature setpoint for heating and cooling curves for
additional comfort.
– No overheating or under-cooling.
– Separate switch on/off of room-temperature control to control heating and
cooling setpoints.

The module may be enabled as an option if TABS room-temperature control is

desired. Changes to the room temperature setpoint have a considerable lag due to
the high degree of thermal inertia of TABS. Corrections are usually only possible on
a day-to-day basis. The desired level of comfort is maintained by relying on one or
more representative room temperature measurements in the zone without causing
overheating or under-cooling.
Note:
Room temperature control is only possible where no auxiliary system assumes
control of the room temperature. For example, TABS room temperature control
must be switched off in rooms where auxiliary heating systems are available and
controlling the room temperature. Nevertheless, room temperature control can
continue to be used for cooling.

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3.2.4 Cycle operation module (Energy efficiency module)

Advantages:
– Tremendous potential to save electricity by reducing zone pump operation: up to
60% savings in electricity is possible.
– Efficient use of natural and less-expensive energy sources.

Buildings featuring TABS offer energy efficient operation by design, and energy
efficiency is the focus of tested (and proven) DESIGO applications. The TABS
control application with its patented process, including the cycle operation modules
allow TABS buildings to achieve even greater energy savings.

For heating, zone pump runtimes can be dramatically reduced by charging the
concrete core using a slightly higher flow temperature during cycle operation.
The same applies to cooling. Electricity use by zone pumps can be reduced by up
to 60%.

In addition to reducing pump energy, cycle operation can also "position" the switch
on phases to take advantage of energy-efficient or less expensive sources of heat
or cold including
– Using free re-cooling during the night.
– Using heat pump operation at low-cost nighttime rates.

3.2.5 Additional functions

There are numerous additional functions supported by TABS:

– Modular designed standard library applications including graphics for plant
operation (using DESIGO INSIGHT to visualize and operate the TABS building).
– TABS building control using various plant configurations.
– Fault shut down to maximum plant and life safety.
– Trending and monitoring for heat/cold consumers and room data.

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 4 Energy savings
The energy efficiency was investigated as part of comprehensive simulations. The
following is a brief summary of the results of a case study conduced jointly with the
EMPA (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology). The
study confirmed that operating a TABS building using DESIGO TABS control is
very economical without sacrificing comfort.
The simulations corresponded to a typical office building in the Zurich region.
During active heating, zone pump cycle operation reduced electricity use by up to
80%. The savings were limited to ca. 60% overall since cycle operation starts with
a purge prior to normal switch-on to determine the temperature of the concrete
core.

Figure 4-1
Pump electricity savings.

Key:
Without cycle operation Refrigeration machine without free cooling,
separate return piping / continuous heating mode.
With cycle operation Refrigeration machine without free cooling,
separate return piping / cycled heating mode.

Detailed results of the simulation are available in the comprehensive publication

entitled "Thermally activated building systems (TABS): Energy efficiency as a
function of control strategy, hydronic circuit topology and (cold) generation system"
and can be ordered at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2010.08.010 .

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5 Planning manual: TABS control
Additional details on TABS control are available
in the planning manual which is a joint product
of Siemens BT and EMPA (Swiss Federal
Laboratories for Materials Testing and
Research) http://www.empa.ch .

The manual provides professional engineers,

builders and operators with a comprehensive
description of methods and solutions to design,
control and operate TABS technologies.

Figure 5-1:
Planning manual: TABS Control

The manual is currently available in German only:

TABS Control - Regelung und Steuerung von thermoaktiven Bauteilsystemen
ISBN 978-3-905711-05-9, Faktor publishing house, Zurich, 2009
http://www.faktor.ch

6 Engineering tool TABSDesign

The TABSDesign engineering tool is available as a supplement to the planning
manual. It is available in German only:
TABSDesign: Planning tool for thermally activated building systems.
Free download from the Faktor publishing house, Zurich, http://www.faktor.ch.

7 Advantages and customer benefits

7.1 Advantages

– Tested control strategy as an integral part of a TABS building.

– Low energy demand.
– Meets comfort requirements.
– Year-round fully automated operation.
– User-friendly operation using DESIGO INSIGHT.
– Comfort control by maintaining temperature limits.
– Modular designed standard library applications to simplify engineering and
commissioning

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 7.2 Customer benefits

– Energy use reductions result in cost savings.

– Sustainable reduction of CO2 emissions through the efficient use of thermally
activated building systems.
– Time and costs savings during engineering, commissioning and occupancy
phases as well as lower service costs thanks to tested applications and detailed
documentation.
– Reduced maintenance services result in lower operating costs.
– Mastering challenging control technologies underscores the innovative nature of
participating companies.
– Achieves the highest energy perfomance class in EN 15232 and increases the
value of the plant as well as the building's potential sale value.

Figure 7-1

8 Field of application
The TABS control application is suitable for all types of building use, e.g. for the
building listed below, including:
– Office buildings.
– Manufacturing and assembly halls.
– Reception areas, bank tellers and lobbies.
– Warehouses
– Apartment buildings.

The application can be applied to both new and existing TABS buildings.

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9 Display and operation
Prepared plant diagrams as well as views for operation and monitoring are already
available for the TABS application as part of DESIGO INSIGHT.

Figure 9-1
Overview featuring the main plant and details for optimized plant operation.

10 System hardware
The TABS control application is approved for installation on the primary automation
station PXC.

11 Field devices
Siemens field devices or equivalent products should be used whenever possible.

12 Versioning
TABS control can be used as of DESIGO V4.0.

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 13 Comprehensive operation
TABS control is an important element for the successful operation of a TABS
building. The DESIGO system ensures comprehensive energy efficiency from
generation to consumers.
Multi-facetted applications, including:
– Heat pump integration and control.
– Coordination of cooling towers.
– Shading system control.
– Auxiliary system control.
guarantee safe and reliable operation throughout the entire plant life cycle.

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14 Appendix
14.1 Plant components

The TABS control application is modular in design with variants and options in the
widest possible range to customize the application.

Components supported by TABS control application:

Components TABS control Comment
Zone control
Outside temperature X
sensor
Flow temperature sensor X
Valve actuator, X
modulating (cooling)
Valve actuator, X
modulating (heating)
Single-stage zone pump X

Room
Temperature sensor O
Room manual switch O
(Auto, Off, On)
Setpoint temperature O
adjustment
Room operating unit QAX O Room operating units may be
per PPS2 interface. engineered at additional
expense.
Table 14-1
X Supported O Optional

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 14.2 Supported and recommended hydraulic
circuits

The application supports all hydraulic circuits that allow a virtually constant flow
through TABS when the zone pump is switched on as well as for flow temperature
control that heats or cools based on demand.

Hydraulic circuits with common zone return piping may result in considerably more
energy costs versus circuits with separate zone return pipes (see Table 14-2) due
to losses from mixing. Furthermore, common zone return permits only a limited
purge function for cycle operation.

Hydraulics
topology

Figure 14-1 Figure 14-2

Distribution Three distribution pipes with Three distribution pipes
piping common zone return line. with separate zone return line.
Energy 136 MJ/(m2a) 97 MJ/(m2a)
consumption for Savings: 28%.
heat generation
Energy 126 MJ/(m2a) 88 MJ/(m2a).
consumption for Savings: 30%.
cold generation
Table 14-2
Results of annual simulation: Office building in Zurich

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15 About this document
Before using our products, it is important that you read the documents supplied
with or ordered at the same time as the products (equipment, applications, tools
etc.) carefully and in full.
We assume that persons using our products and documents are authorized and
properly trained and have the requisite technical knowledge to use our products as
intended.
Additional information on products and applications is available:
 At your next Siemens branch office www.siemens.com/buildingtechnologies
or at your system suppliers.
 From the support team in the headquarters
fieldsupport-zug.ch.sbt@siemens.com if no local POC is available.

Siemens assumes no liability to the extent allowed under the law for any losses
resulting from a failure to comply with the aforementioned points or for the improper
compliance of the same.

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 Siemens Switzerland Ltd Siemens Ltd
Industry Sector Industry Sector
Building Technologies Division Building Technologies Division
International Headquarters 22/F, Two Landmark East
Gubelstrasse 22 100 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong
6301 Zug Kowloon, Hong Kong
Switzerland Tel. +852 2870 7888
Tel. +41 41 724 24 24

Siemens Building Technologies

Industry Sector
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United Kingdom
Tel. +44 1276 696000

The information contained in this document represents a general description of the technical
capabilities only and may not apply to all cases. The desired features should therefore be
set forth upon entering into an agreement.

© Siemens Switzerland Ltd, 2011 • Order no. CM110745en-TABS

www.siemens.com/desigo

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