Performers:
-- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) – Berkeley, CA
-- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) – Richland, WA
-- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) – Oak Ridge, TN
FY16 DOE Funding: $225,000
Project Term: October 1, 2015 – September 30, 2016
Funding Type: Direct Lab Funding
Project Objective
Virtual or inferential sensing can provide a lower-cost and less-invasive approach to monitor building performance and operation compared to physical sensing techniques. As part of a multilab effort led by PNNL, LBNL will work with PNNL and ORNL on developing virtual sensing techniques for monitoring building occupancy.
The first objective of this project is to extract virtual occupancy data from a test building at PNNL to develop a low-cost approach to effectively managing energy use. Resulting algorithms developed by LBNL will then be integrated into ORNL’s occupancy data fusion system. The second objective of this project will be to work with manufacturers of wi-fi management systems to make virtual sensing data easily and widely available over standard protocols, which could enable virtual sensing to be easily and widely employed by building owners.
This project aims to accelerate the availability of occupancy data and identification of equipment malfunction through virtual sensing techniques to building owners. Buildings, many of which are controlled on fixed schedules for their HVAC and lighting, could reduce their energy consumption by utilizing actual occupancy instead. As a result, the energy consumption of these end uses, as well as some electronics and miscellaneous devices, could be reduced and impact the 74% of electricity used in the U.S. in 2014 that is consumed by residential and commercial buildings.
Contacts
DOE Technology Manager: Marina Sofos
Lead Performer: Mary Ann Piette, LBNL