Building Energy Benchmarking via Weather-Independent Consumption Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional energy benchmarking methods for buildings are inadequate as they do not accurately reflect energy efficiency due to reliance on energy use intensity (EUI) that doesn't account for operational hours and relative ranking within groups, and require cumbersome data collection for HVAC systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for energy benchmarking that determine actual weather-independent and weather-dependent energy consumption values, using energy simulation information and building data to generate an ideal energy consumption value and loads, allowing for a more accurate benchmarking score independent of HVAC system data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional energy benchmarking methods using EUI are used, then the benchmarking process is simple, but the accuracy of energy efficiency assessment is poor because they don't account for operational hours and weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments total energy consumption into weather-independent and weather-dependent components. This segmentation allows for more accurate assessment by accounting for different factors separately, resolving the contradiction between accuracy and complexity by breaking down the complex assessment into manageable parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces additional parameters (operational hours, weather conditions, building characteristics) to transform the simple EUI metric into a comprehensive energy efficiency assessment model. This parameter expansion improves measurement precision while the systematic approach manages the increased complexity.
2Measurement precision
If detailed data collection for HVAC systems is required, then the accuracy of weather-dependent energy consumption assessment is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome data collection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional benchmarking system that handles both weather-independent and weather-dependent energy consumption assessment, building characteristics analysis, and operational hours tracking in a unified framework. This universal approach improves precision across multiple dimensions while managing operational complexity through integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to work with available data and make reasonable assumptions or estimations when complete data is not available, reducing the burden of exhaustive data collection while maintaining acceptable assessment accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If relative ranking within groups is used for benchmarking, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates because it doesn't reflect absolute energy efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary comprehensive energy efficiency score that combines absolute energy consumption metrics with normalized comparison capabilities. This intermediary metric maintains the simplicity of relative ranking while incorporating the precision of absolute efficiency measurements through its composite nature.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods comprise determining an actual weather independent energy consumption value and actual weather dependent energy consumption value of a building. The devices and methods further comprise, obtaining energy simulation information from a data source. Further, an ideal weather independent energy consumption value and one or more ideal loads are generated based on the energy simulation information, building information, and total energy consumption of the building. The devices and methods further comprise determining a benchmarking score for the building using the actual weather independent energy consumption value, the actual weather dependent energy consumption value, the ideal weather independent energy consumption value, and the one or more ideal loads for managing energy consumption associated with the building.