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Technology Enablers for Next-Generation Economic Building Monitoring Systems

Sweeney, J., Jr.; Culp, C. (Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu)Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu), 2001)

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The measurement of a building's electrical and thermal consumption provides the necessary data used to increase energy efficiency. Measurements typically range from hourly to monthly. Monthly data can be used to determine if savings are being maintained. Hourly data provides added detail for diagnostics. Currently, the cost of a complete monitoring system deters use in buildings under 30,000 to 50,000 square feet. Buildings can be optimized using techniques like Continuous CommissioningSM (CCSM) and experience a reduction in consumption ranging from 10% to 40% [1]. Using hourly data has proven to be very effective in maintaining the initial level of savings over an extended period of time [1]. The Energy Systems Laboratory at Texas A&M University (TAMU) has applied CCSM to over 100 buildings and obtained an average savings of 22 percent. Currently, wholebuilding and sub-metering relies on conventional dial-up based data logging systems. Development of a next-generation data acquisition system is essential to achieve a lower cost for building energy monitoring and analysis. The next-generation system discussed in this paper is a complete redesign. It will be Internet-enabled and secure; take advantage of current advances in smarter sensors, use embedded micro-controllers and mixed signal processors and use Java and XML.

URI:

http://handle.tamu.edu/1969.1/5096

Files in this item: 1

ESL-IC-01-07-15.pdf (488.4Kb)

Continuous Commissioning: A Valuable Partner to Retrofit Projects

Turner, W. D.; Banks, K.; Athar, A.; Yazdani, B.; Zhu, Y.; Culp, C. (Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu)Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu), 2001)

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Continuous Commissioning (CC) or HVAC system optimization is not only a valuable stand-alone energy saving measure for commercial buildings, but it is also an important escort solution to retrofit projects. Energy retrofit projects typically achieve projected savings. But in cases where savings goals are not being met, optimizing HVAC system performance can be the difference in an underachieving versus a successful project. This paper presents a real-world study of pairing a CC project with an energy retrofit in a 107,000 square foot hospital building. Applying the CC strategy to an underperforming retrofit, projected energy savings were achieved and even increased. Additionally, by increasing supply air capacity, patients, staff and visitors now enjoy improved comfort conditions. This paper also explores the working relationship between an ESCO and a university research laboratory, whose combined efforts led to this remarkable turn around.

URI:

http://handle.tamu.edu/1969.1/5140

Files in this item: 1

ESL-IC-01-07-01.pdf (621.7Kb)

Using Utility Bills and Average Daily Energy Consumption to Target Commissioning Efforts and Track Building Performance

Sellers, D. (Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu)Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu), 2001)

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This paper discusses using basic utility data that is readily available from utility bills to focus targeted retrocommissioning efforts. It also discusses how to use this information to spot emerging problems related to how the building is using energy. This sort of analysis can be done using relatively simple techniques such as a hand calculation or a spreadsheet and is the type of thing that any facility engineer or operator could handle and would be interested in. Techniques are also discussed which allow the data to be further refined to target specific energy uses.

URI:

http://handle.tamu.edu/1969.1/5204

Files in this item: 1

ESL-IC-01-07-06.pdf (5.907Mb)

Stipulations in Performance Contracting M&V: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Stetz, M.; Webster, L.; Bradford, J. (Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu)Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu), 2001)

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Performance contractors (PC) often use stipulations for part or all of their measurement & verification (M&V) efforts. The value of stipulations are low cost and easy implementation (good). Disadvantages include uncertain savings estimates (bad) and potential for disputes and lawsuits (ugly). PCs and customers sometimes misuse or abuse stipulations either by stipulating the savings directly or stipulating parameters based on limited or unreliable information. The purpose of M&V is to provide assurance that project savings exist. Improper and excessive reliance on stipulations may effectively nullify savings guarantees and also miss opportunities to assure measure performance by using verification data for feedback. A review of PCs in the federal sector shows significant reliance on stipulations; private-sector PCs are presumed similar. Recognized M&V guidelines such as ASHRAE 14-P, IPMVP, and FEMP discuss the use of stipulations. Recent changes to the IPMVP and FEMP guidelines resulted in diverging attitudes towards stipulations with the IPMVP now requiring some measurements. In response, FEMP is developing guidelines for using stipulations in federal-sector performance contracts that can be applied to privatesector PCs as well. Proper use of stipulations requires balancing costs with savings uncertainty.

URI:

http://handle.tamu.edu/1969.1/5193

Files in this item: 1

ESL-IC-01-07-05.pdf (4.103Mb)

ASHRAE's Proposed Guideline 14P for Measurement of Energy and Demand Savings: How to Determine What Was Really Saved by the Retrofit

Haberl, J. S.; Reeves, G.; Gillespie, K.; Claridge, D. E.; Cowan, J.; Culp, C.; Frazell, W.; Heinemeier, K.; Kromer, S.; Kummer, J.; Mazzucchi, R.; Reddy, A.; Schiller, S.; Sud, I.; Wolpert, J.; Wutka, T. (Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu)Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu), 2001)

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ASHRAE has recently completed the development of Guideline 14 to fill a need for a standard set of energy (and demand) savings calculation procedures. Guideline 14 is intended to be a guideline that provides a minimum acceptable level of performance in the measurement of energy and demand savings from energy management projects applied to residential, commercial or industrial buildings. Such measurements can serve as the basis for commercial transactions between Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) and their customers, or other energy conservation providers that rely on energy savings as the basis for repayment of the costs of the retrofit. When applied properly, ASHRAE Guideline 14 is expected to provide adequate assurance for the payment of services by allowing for well specified measurement methods that provide reasonably accurate savings calculations. ASHRAE Guideline 14 may also be used by governments to calculate pollution reductions from energy efficiency activities. Since Guideline 14 is intended to be applied to an individual building, or a few buildings served by a utility meter, large scale utility energy conservation programs, such as those involving statistical sampling, are not addressed by the current version of Guideline 14. Furthermore, metering standards and procedures for calculating savings from modifications to major industrial process loads are also not covered. This paper presents an overview of the measurement methods contained in ASHRAE Guideline 14 , including a discussion about how they were developed, and their intended relationship with other national protocols for measuring savings from energy conservation programs, such as the USDOE's International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocols (IPMVP).

URI:

http://handle.tamu.edu/1969.1/5182

Files in this item: 1

ESL-IC-01-07-04.pdf (649.3Kb)

Laboratory Air Handling Unit System

Cui, Y.; Liu, M. (Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu)Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu), 2001)

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An innovative AHU system is presented in this paper. The proposed AHU system is called a Laboratory Air Handling Unit (LAHU) system since it is most suitable for the buildings where one section (laboratory) has 100% exhaust while the other section (office) allows air to circulate. The LAHU system uses less thermal energy, provides better indoor air quality, and requires less system capacity than traditional AHU systems.

URI:

http://handle.tamu.edu/1969.1/5171

Files in this item: 1

ESL-IC-01-07-03.pdf (1.035Mb)

Evaluation of Emerging Diagnostic Tools for Commercial HVAC Systems

Friedman, H.; Piette, M. A. (Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu)Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu), 2001)

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This paper compares and evaluates the capabilities of six emerging diagnostic tools for commercial HVAC systems. We present a brief description of the diagnostic tools, and then focus on evaluating the features of the tools. We include the following six tools in our analysis: Architectural Energy Corporation's ENFORMA? software, Facility Dynamics Engineering's Performance And Continuous Re-commissioning Analysis Tool (PACRAT), Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Whole Building Diagnostician (WBD), Pacific Gas and Electric's Universal Translator, UC Berkeley's Fan System Tools, and Silicon Energy's Enterprise Energy Management Suite. The air-side economizer operation is the most common diagnostic across the tools, so this diagnostic function is evaluated in detail. We outline the key strengths and weaknesses of each tool, while keeping in mind the tool intent and current extent of commercialization. Each tool has unique features for data management and analysis, which can be beneficial for different applications and users.

URI:

http://handle.tamu.edu/1969.1/5164

Files in this item: 1

ESL-IC-01-07-32.pdf (668.0Kb)

Performance Analysis of Dual-Fan, Dual-Duct Constant Volume Air-Handling Units

Joo, I. S.; Liu, M. (Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu)Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu), 2001)

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Dual-fan, dual-duct air-handling units introduce outside air directly into the cooling duct and use two variable speed devices to independently maintain the static pressure of the hot and the cold air ducts. Analytical models have been developed to compare fan power and thermal energy consumption of dualfan, dual-duct constant volume air-handling units with single-fan, dual-duct constant volume airhandling units. This study shows that the dual-fan, dual-duct system uses less fan power and less thermal energy during winter, and uses more thermal energy during summer. Thermal energy performance can be significantly improved if the thermal energy penalty can be decreased or eliminated.

URI:

http://handle.tamu.edu/1969.1/5163

Files in this item: 1

ESL-IC-01-07-31.pdf (733.4Kb)

Continuous Commissioning(SM) of a Thermal Storage System

Turner, W. D.; Liu, M. (Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu)Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu), 2001)

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Chilled water thermal storage systems can reduce the electrical demand charge during the onpeak months. However, operational problems such as the inability to fully charge the system or premature discharge of the stored cooling capacity can be costly, which can result in turning on chillers during on-peak hours in order to provide cooling to the buildings. In this paper the optimization of a thermal storage system operation through Continuous CommissioningSM is presented. Detailed building and chilled water loop commissioning activities are discussed.

URI:

http://handle.tamu.edu/1969.1/5162

Files in this item: 1

ESL-IC-01-07-30.pdf (2.296Mb)

Accounting for the Occupancy Variable in Inverse Building Energy Baselining Models

Claridge, D. E. (Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu)Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu), 2001)

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The occupancy factor is often underestimated in inverse modeling of building energy use, or accounted for by grouping the daily data in occupied and unoccupied groups which are modeled separately. For instance, in institutional buildings it is common to identify "weekdays/weekends", "semester breaks", and "holidays" daytypes. In order to develop one model that accounts for all periods, i.e., occupied and unoccupied, at an hourly time scale, a dummy variable (regressor) can be used. The dummy variable is often used in a simplified way; for instance, having a value of 0 between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, and 1 between 5:00 PM and 8:00 AM, for an office building. In this paper, the effect of using different alternatives in accounting for the occupancy variable in inverse modeling of building energy use is investigated, and the resulting uncertainty in the predictions, using the SMLP inverse method are presented.

URI:

http://handle.tamu.edu/1969.1/5161

Files in this item: 1

ESL-IC-01-07-29.pdf (559.7Kb)

Building Operator Certification: Improving Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Through Operator Training and Certification

Putnam, C.; Mulak, A. (Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu)Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu), 2001)

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Building Operator Certification (BOC) is a competency-based certification for building operators designed to improve the energy efficiency of commercial buildings. Operators earn certification by attending training sessions and completing project assignments in their facilities. The certification provides a credential for their professional development while also offering employers a way to identify skilled operators. Developed as a market transformation venture with funding from the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, evaluation research has shown BOC participants are saving money and energy in their facilities, and awareness among major employers is growing. BOC is now expanding to serve other regions of the country including the Northeast, California and Wisconsin. It is being offered as a turnkey program to interested organizations and utilities and can be operationalized within a year to serve customers quickly. It also serves as a platform for other energy efficiency initiatives such as building commissioning, EnergyStar benchmarking, and resource conservation manager. This paper will discuss the development and implementation of the Building Operator Certification, market response to BOC in the Northwest and Northeast, and energy saving and customer service benefits.

URI:

http://handle.tamu.edu/1969.1/5160

Files in this item: 1

ESL-IC-01-07-02.pdf (620.7Kb)

Development of Load Forecasting Procedures for the Texas A&M University System

Baltazar-Cervantes, J. C.; Lim, C.; Haberl, J. S.; Turnder, W. D.; Claridge, D. E. (Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu)Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu), 2001)

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This paper reports on the effort to develop load-forecasting procedures for the Texas A&M University System (TAMUS). Such procedures are being investigated to determine if the TAMUS can benefit from the pending deregulation in the State of Texas. A description of the procedures used to aggregate and forecast the system-wide, 15-minute electric load is presented, including a summary of the forecast load for selected campuses, and individual campus-use statistics. Procedures are also presented that were used to impute missing energy and weather data, and forecast annual data from short-term data.

URI:

http://handle.tamu.edu/1969.1/5159

Files in this item: 1

ESL-IC-01-07-28.pdf (775.5Kb)

Monitoring and Verification Procedures Used in the Texas LoanSTAR and Rebuild America Programs

Farouz, S.; Baltazar-Cervantes, J. C.; Haberl, J. S.; Claridge, D. E. (Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu)Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu), 2001)

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The monitoring and verification procedures that have been developed for the Texas LoanSTAR program and the ESL's Rebuild America Program have become a foundation for a number of other state and federal M&V programs, including the United States Department of Energy's (USDOE's) 1996 NEMVP, 1997 IPMVP, 2001 IPMVP, ASHRAE's GP 14P, and the 1999 Texas Performance Contracting Guidelines. This paper reviews the basic procedures that are used for monitoring and verifying energy savings in commercial buildings that receive energy conservation retrofits, including procedures that are used for measuring energy savings in buildings where hourly pre-retrofit and post-retrofit whole-building data have been collected; buildings where monthly pre-retrofit and hourly post-retrofit data are collected; and buildings where monthly preretrofit and monthly post-retrofit data are used to verify savings.

URI:

http://handle.tamu.edu/1969.1/5158

Files in this item: 1

ESL-IC-01-07-27.pdf (623.7Kb)

A Residential Duct Leakage Case Study on 'Good Cents' Homes

Bryant, J. A.; Perez, R. (Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu)Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu), 2001)

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The “Good Cents” program has been adopted by many cities across the United States and has encouraged builders to employ aggressive energy conservation building techniques in residential applications. The program is well established and has been recognized for the added value it brings to homeowners. The primary energy using system in a residence is the heating and cooling system and in the hot and humid Southeast Texas climate, cooling is the predominant mode of operation for the HVAC system. This makes the system particularly susceptible to degraded performance if there are leaks in the air distribution system. Nine Good Cents homes in the College Station, Texas area were chosen for a study to determine the extent of HVAC air distribution leakage in the HVAC system. It was found that all the homes had significant measured leakage for the return-air side of the system. Houses with vertical sheet-rock lined plenums had significantly higher rates of return air leakage than homes with ducted returns.

URI:

http://handle.tamu.edu/1969.1/5157

Files in this item: 1

ESL-IC-01-07-26.pdf (580.3Kb)

Energy Management Program at Atlanta Postal Service Distribution Center

Brown, M.; Ansari, A. (Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu)Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu), 2001)

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The US Postal Service operates more than 38,000 post offices across the country and spends $350 million annually on utilities (1). Driven by President Clinton's 1999 Executive Order that mandates a 35 percent reduction in federal energy consumption by 2010, the Postal Service is aggressively pursuing energy savings (2). One long-range approach initiated in the Atlanta area is the implementation of MSE 2000, a structured management system for energy. MSE 2000 emphasizes training, development of standard operating procedures, energy monitoring, and team-based problem solving. Implementation activity at the Atlanta Bulk Mail Facility has included a gap analysis, selection of an implementation team, and initial training. During the first quarter of 2001, the energy manual, energy system work procedures and instructions, and energy team training will be completed. This will put the facility on target for formal registration of the management system in the third quarter of 2001. Improved operating and maintenance practices are expected to reduce energy usage by 5-10 percent, and the formal management system will help sustain the savings.

URI:

http://handle.tamu.edu/1969.1/5156

Files in this item: 1

ESL-IC-01-07-25.pdf (450.7Kb)

Energy Use in the U.S. Commercial Sector - Energy Information Administration Data, Information and Analyses

Boedecker, E. (Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu)Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu), 2001)

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The Energy Information Administration (EIA) is the independent statistical and analytical agency within the U.S. Department of Energy. As such, EIA has a wealth of energy data and analyses available for public use, including information about energy use in the buildings sectors. This paper discusses the types of EIA energy information available, how the information can be accessed, and how it may be valuable in the quest to improve existing building energy usage.

URI:

http://handle.tamu.edu/1969.1/5155

Files in this item: 1

ESL-IC-01-07-24.pdf (523.9Kb)

Demand Relief and Weather Sensitivity in Large California Commercial Office Buildings

Kinney, S.; Piette, M. A.; Gu, L.; Haves, P. (Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu)Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu), 2001)

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A great deal of research has examined the weather sensitivity of energy consumption in commercial buildings; however, the recent power crisis in California has given greater importance to peak demand. Several new loadshedding programs have been implemented or are under consideration. Historically, the target customers have been large industrial users who can reduce the equivalent load of several large office buildings. While the individual load reduction from an individual office building may be less significant, there is ample opportunity for load reduction in this area. The load reduction programs and incentives for industrial customers may not be suitable for commercial building owners. In particular, industrial customers are likely to have little variation in load from day to day. Thus a robust baseline accounting for weather variability is required to provide building owners with realistic targets that will encourage them to participate in load shedding programs.

URI:

http://handle.tamu.edu/1969.1/5154

Files in this item: 1

ESL-IC-01-07-23.pdf (645.0Kb)

Measured Energy Use Indices for 27 Office Buildings

Haberl, J. S.; Sreshthaputra, A.; Claridge, D. E.; Turner, W. D.; Harmon, K.; Kisselburgh, J.; Mase, R. (Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu)Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu), 2001)

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Energy use indices for 27 government office buildings are presented that have been assembled from hourly monitored data as part of the Texas LoanSTAR program and other efforts at the Energy Systems Laboratory. These indices include whole-building electricity, cooling and heating use, as well as the electricity used by the motor controls centers (i.e., fans, pumps, etc.) and the combined lights and receptacles. In this paper a comparative summary of the information is presented across all the sites, as well as tabular information about the indices. Such indices are useful for ascertaining baseline line measurements, or other indicators of energy use in commercial office buildings.

URI:

http://handle.tamu.edu/1969.1/5153

Files in this item: 1

ESL-IC-01-07-22.pdf (1.571Mb)

Energy Efficient Single Stack Exhaust Fan Systems (E3S3F)

Wang, G.; Liu, M. (Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu)Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu), 2001)

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This paper first investigates the fan energy performance of a constant air volume exhaust system. Two single stack energy efficient exhaust fan systems (E3S3F) are presented. The E3S3F-I has the static pressure sensor located at the inlet of the exhaust fan. It has been found to consume up to 15% less fan power than conventional constant air volume exhaust systems. The E3S3F-II uses a variable speed device to maintain the static pressure at the entrance of the stack. It consumes up to 60% less fan power than conventional constant volume exhaust systems.

URI:

http://handle.tamu.edu/1969.1/5152

Files in this item: 1

ESL-IC-01-07-21.pdf (582.0Kb)

Obtaining and Ensuring Persistence of O&M Savings Through Resource Conservation Management

Miller, W. (Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu)Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu), 2001)

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Resource conservation management is a management program similar to financial management in that its success requires commitment by all levels of the organization to the process as well as an accounting procedure and auditing of critical components. Resource conservation management provides a framework for all elements of efficient building operations and maintenance. The savings connected with the program are principally connected with changes in the way buildings are operated and maintained. This paper discusses the evolution of the resource conservation management service and the savings associated with the two-year pilot effort with seven school districts as well as the critical components of a successful program. The hope is that top-management will recognize the value of resource conservation management in keeping their overhead costs under control and will incorporate it into the management structure of their jurisdiction or firm.

URI:

http://handle.tamu.edu/1969.1/5151

Files in this item: 1

ESL-IC-01-07-20.pdf (445.2Kb)

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