Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of energy conversation measures over baseline as given by ASHRAE

Architectural Science Review, June, 2006 by Hatice Sozer, Mahjoub Elnimeiri

This paper presents the state of the art of an energy conservation approach which intended to provide techniques for calculating "whole--facility" savings and individual technology savings. With a goal of enhancing the overall energy performance of new commercial buildings, a detailed summary for the Measurement and Verification (M & V) approach is given. A case study is presented in detail. The study is conducted for the Chicago Center of Green Technology Building in Chicago, IL, referred to as CCGT. The main purpose of the study is to insure compliance with the requirements of LEED v1.0 and v2.0 Energy Credit 5: Measurement and Verification. We expect that the M & V study will provide the credit points necessary to achieve the owner's desired level of certification. In this paper only the analysis portion of the verification is presented.

Introduction

The PhD. Program at the College of Architecture at The Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago USA, has been engaged in research in the area of energy for sometime now. One important ingredient to facilitate the advancement of such research is the development of inelegant data base of existing buildings energy usage. The study presented in this paper will contribute significantly to that goal.

The determination of energy saving is a challenge, and requires both accurate methodology, known as a measurement and verification (M & V) protocol which was used in this study. [1]

The building systems which will be monitored are those stated in the LEED reference manual, including the continuous metering of the following Option B: Method by Technology of the US Department of Energy's International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP) systems were following: [2]

* Lighting systems and controls,

* Photovoltaic system and capacity to produce electricity,

* Motor efficiency, constant and variable motor loads,

* Variable frequency and speed drive (VFD, VSD) operation,

* Air economizer and heat recovery cycles,

* Air distribution loads and ventilation air volumes,

* Cooling towers efficiency,

* Gas fired boiler efficiencies,

* Water heater cabinet heater, unit heater, baseboard and fin tube radiator efficiency,

* Water source heat pump efficiency at variable loads (kW/ton),

* Indoors water risers and outdoor irrigation systems.

The first step in the verification will be the post installation verification. The results will insure that the proper equipment/systems were installed, are operating correctly to generate predicted savings. The calculation is based on performance, electric lighting usage, equipment power usage, ventilation and conditioning equipment performance. [2]

The paper starts by defining goals and creating the M & V Plan with the set energy conservation measure (ECM). It will be followed with by the baselines verification and setting the first baseline as given by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating & Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHREA) with incorporation of ECM's in the design. [3] Results will give a quantitative and qualitative evaluation utilizing United State Department of Energy software, DOE-2.1E.

Plan of the Research

The first step taken was to define all of the potential energy savings and the goals for the facility which will include the building management and operational philosophy. The building under study (CCGT) is occupied by three different tenants. The management and operational philosophy for the facility itemized and set according to tenant's priorities and our goals on energy saving. Understanding between building management, tenants, and facility engineers was set as such that each part was aware of the operational philosophy of the facility. All architectural, electrical, and mechanical drawings and plans with ECM's were discussed with the team. The life cycle cost effectiveness was used to determine feasibility of the project. In this step all necessary equipment purchases for measurements and facility upgrades also were decided.

Important issue in M & V procedure was the data collection activities, which was shaped according to automating data collection activities at the site. This was also a long-term goal which covers post installation verifications.

Creating an M & V Plan

After identifications of the goals, ECM's and other energy related features of the building such as occupancy, R value of the walls are clearly defined an M & V plan was developed. [4]

The proposed ECM's include:

* Higher performance efficiency of the roof (garden roof), walls (overhangs) and glazing

* Higher performance efficiency of the lighting fixtures

* Day-lighting controls to reduce lighting energy use including skylights

* Higher performance efficiency of the mechanical and service hot water equipment

* Utilizing geothermal energy using Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP)

* Utilizing solar energy from Photo-Voltaic (PV) panels on the roof and the south wall

The potential for project interaction, and the desired level-of-detail for metering were discussed and decision on types and amount of metering, and the long-term plan of data collection activities at the site were made. In the plan, what will be measured, where, and how frequently were clearly identified.