Performers:
-- Argonne National Lab – Argonne, IL
-- Big Ladder Software – Denver, CO
-- Thermal Energy System Specialists (TESS) – Madison, WI
Performance Period: October 1, 2018 – September 30, 2021
DOE Budget: $100,000 in FY20; $300,000 overall
Funding Type: FY18 Lab Call
Related Projects: ASHRAE Standard 140, EnergyPlus, OpenStudio, TPEx
Project Overview
BEM relies on accurate characterization of HVAC equipment performance, i.e., power draw or fuel use per heating or cooling delivered. HVAC performance varies with parameters such as input temperature, temperature lift, flow rate, and others. Consumers may be familiar with HVAC rating metrics like COP (coefficient of performance) or SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). These represent performance either at one set of parameters, or the weighted average of performance over a small set of parameters. Accurate BEM requires HVAC performance across many combinations of parameters across the operating range of the equipment. This representation can be analytical, but most frequently it is in the form of a point-wise "map" where values for parameters that fall between the points can be derived accurately using interpolation.
ASHRAE Standard 205 "Standard Representation of Performance Simulation Data for HVAC&R and Other Facility Equipment" defines performance maps for HVAC equipment from coils and fans to chillers and VRF systems. The Standard Project Committee works with manufacturers to develop and publish performance data sets and with BEM vendors to support the use of performance maps in BEM engines.
Contacts
DOE Technology Manager: Amir Roth
Principal Investigator: Ralph Muehleisen, ANL