U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Sensing and Controls for Energy Efficient Buildings: A Cross Cutting Project

摘要

The Department of Energy (DOE) Industrial Technologies Program (ITP) is widelyrecognized for its contribution to bringing the wireless revolution to the industrial marketplace.The result has been the commercialization of wireless sensors that are meant for the industrialsetting. The DOE Building Technology Program’s (BTP) emphasis on developing technologiesand methodologies that will provide significant energy savings in buildings has instituted aprogram that is focused on adapting the ITP-sponsored wireless sensor results into aninexpensive, robust system that is tailored to energy-efficiency optimization of commercialbuilding operation. The BTP project includes a demonstration facility where the developedsensors are integrated into the existing building automation system. While private sectorbuilding optimization efforts are underway, their “focus” is not addressing the practical needs forinexpensive, wireless sensors tailored to monitoring parameters for HVAC optimization as wellas parameters that directly impact the occupants’ comfort. The development of the crosscuttingITP+BTP sponsored activity described in this paper leads to the possibility of a change of culturein the perception of a “living building” that can meet the need for reduction in energy usagewhile enhancing the occupants’ comfort while in the building. The presentation will discuss thetechnology developments, demonstration results, energy savings for widespread adoption of thedeveloped systems, and examination of the culture change associated with an energy-efficient“living building”.