This is one of the nation's first commercial building projects to integrate extensive high-pe... more This is one of the nation's first commercial building projects to integrate extensive high-performance design into a retail space. The extensive use of natural light, combined with energy-efficient electrical lighting design, provides good illumination and excellent energy savings. The reduced lighting loads, management of solar gains, and cool climate allow natural ventilation to meet the cooling loads. A hydronic radiant floor system, gas-fired radiant heaters, and a transpired solar collector deliver heat. An 8.9-kW roof-integrated photovoltaic (PV) system offsets a portion of the electricity.
To provide a consistent baseline of comparison and save time conducting such simulations, the U.S... more To provide a consistent baseline of comparison and save time conducting such simulations, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has developed a set of standard benchmark building models. This paper will provide an executive summary overview of these benchmark buildings, and how they can save building analysts valuable time. Fully documented and implemented to use with the EnergyPlus energy simulation program, the benchmark models are publicly available and new versions will be created to maintain compatibility with new releases of EnergyPlus. The benchmark buildings will form the basis for research on specific building technologies, energy code development, appliance standards, and measurement of progress toward DOE energy goals. Having a common starting point allows us to better share and compare research results and move forward to make more energy efficient buildings.
Abstract As renewable portfolio standards enforce the expansion of renewables on the U.S. grid in... more Abstract As renewable portfolio standards enforce the expansion of renewables on the U.S. grid in the coming years, old storage technologies must be re-evaluated for a dynamic, interactive future grid. Ice thermal storage, traditionally for diurnal load shifting on large central chiller plants, is also viable in packaged devices for most buildings that lack central plants. However, modeling of these unitary thermal storage systems (UTSS) has been very limited to-date. To help make packaged thermal storage modeling more accessible, this paper presents a recently developed OpenStudio measure for rapid analysis of UTSS. Using this measure, we assess the UTSS implementation in new and retrofit retail buildings with both packaged single zone air conditioners (PSZAC) and packaged variable air volume (PVAV) systems. Each implementation is evaluated on annual energy use, fan energy use, load shifting efficiency, daily unused ice availability, and potential cost savings under various time-of-use rates. Deficiencies with schedule-based control are highlighted by comparing the daily unused ice and the cooling-electricity load duration curve. Annual energy use increases by 1.2–3.7%, but on-peak electric demand is reduced by 32.2–36.6%.
Using transpired solar collectors to preheat ventilation air has recently become recognized as an... more Using transpired solar collectors to preheat ventilation air has recently become recognized as an economic alternative for integrating renewable energy into commercial buildings in heating climates. The collectors have relatively low installed costs and operate on simple principles. Theory and performance testing have shown that solar collection efficiency can exceed 70% of incident solar. However, implementation and current absorber designs
Ground-heat transfer is tightly coupled with soil-moisture transfer. The coupling is threefold: h... more Ground-heat transfer is tightly coupled with soil-moisture transfer. The coupling is threefold: heat is transferred by thermal conduction and by moisture transfer; the thermal properties of soil are strong functions of the moisture content; and moisture phase change includes latent heat effects and changes in thermal and hydraulic properties. A heat and moisture transfer model was developed to study the ground-coupled heat and moisture transfer from buildings. The model also includes detailed considerations of the atmospheric boundary conditions, including precipitation. Solutions for the soil temperature distribution are obtained using a finite element procedure. The model compared well with the seasonal variation of measured ground temperatures.
ABSTRACT The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005), Public Law 109-58 was signed by President Ge... more ABSTRACT The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005), Public Law 109-58 was signed by President George W. Bush on Aug. 8, 2005. This law contains substantial incentives and requirements for the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency for all sectors of energy demand and supply. Section 1331 of this law enacted Section 179D of the Internal Revenue Code and established incentives for energy-efficiency measures in commercial buildings. These measures were drafted by a collaborative group of industry and efficiency advocates and offered to Congress as a way to focus efforts on opportunities for energy savings.
This is one of the nation's first commercial building projects to integrate extensive high-pe... more This is one of the nation's first commercial building projects to integrate extensive high-performance design into a retail space. The extensive use of natural light, combined with energy-efficient electrical lighting design, provides good illumination and excellent energy savings. The reduced lighting loads, management of solar gains, and cool climate allow natural ventilation to meet the cooling loads. A hydronic radiant floor system, gas-fired radiant heaters, and a transpired solar collector deliver heat. An 8.9-kW roof-integrated photovoltaic (PV) system offsets a portion of the electricity.
To provide a consistent baseline of comparison and save time conducting such simulations, the U.S... more To provide a consistent baseline of comparison and save time conducting such simulations, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has developed a set of standard benchmark building models. This paper will provide an executive summary overview of these benchmark buildings, and how they can save building analysts valuable time. Fully documented and implemented to use with the EnergyPlus energy simulation program, the benchmark models are publicly available and new versions will be created to maintain compatibility with new releases of EnergyPlus. The benchmark buildings will form the basis for research on specific building technologies, energy code development, appliance standards, and measurement of progress toward DOE energy goals. Having a common starting point allows us to better share and compare research results and move forward to make more energy efficient buildings.
Abstract As renewable portfolio standards enforce the expansion of renewables on the U.S. grid in... more Abstract As renewable portfolio standards enforce the expansion of renewables on the U.S. grid in the coming years, old storage technologies must be re-evaluated for a dynamic, interactive future grid. Ice thermal storage, traditionally for diurnal load shifting on large central chiller plants, is also viable in packaged devices for most buildings that lack central plants. However, modeling of these unitary thermal storage systems (UTSS) has been very limited to-date. To help make packaged thermal storage modeling more accessible, this paper presents a recently developed OpenStudio measure for rapid analysis of UTSS. Using this measure, we assess the UTSS implementation in new and retrofit retail buildings with both packaged single zone air conditioners (PSZAC) and packaged variable air volume (PVAV) systems. Each implementation is evaluated on annual energy use, fan energy use, load shifting efficiency, daily unused ice availability, and potential cost savings under various time-of-use rates. Deficiencies with schedule-based control are highlighted by comparing the daily unused ice and the cooling-electricity load duration curve. Annual energy use increases by 1.2–3.7%, but on-peak electric demand is reduced by 32.2–36.6%.
Using transpired solar collectors to preheat ventilation air has recently become recognized as an... more Using transpired solar collectors to preheat ventilation air has recently become recognized as an economic alternative for integrating renewable energy into commercial buildings in heating climates. The collectors have relatively low installed costs and operate on simple principles. Theory and performance testing have shown that solar collection efficiency can exceed 70% of incident solar. However, implementation and current absorber designs
Ground-heat transfer is tightly coupled with soil-moisture transfer. The coupling is threefold: h... more Ground-heat transfer is tightly coupled with soil-moisture transfer. The coupling is threefold: heat is transferred by thermal conduction and by moisture transfer; the thermal properties of soil are strong functions of the moisture content; and moisture phase change includes latent heat effects and changes in thermal and hydraulic properties. A heat and moisture transfer model was developed to study the ground-coupled heat and moisture transfer from buildings. The model also includes detailed considerations of the atmospheric boundary conditions, including precipitation. Solutions for the soil temperature distribution are obtained using a finite element procedure. The model compared well with the seasonal variation of measured ground temperatures.
ABSTRACT The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005), Public Law 109-58 was signed by President Ge... more ABSTRACT The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005), Public Law 109-58 was signed by President George W. Bush on Aug. 8, 2005. This law contains substantial incentives and requirements for the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency for all sectors of energy demand and supply. Section 1331 of this law enacted Section 179D of the Internal Revenue Code and established incentives for energy-efficiency measures in commercial buildings. These measures were drafted by a collaborative group of industry and efficiency advocates and offered to Congress as a way to focus efforts on opportunities for energy savings.
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