Building energy split calculation and visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current commercial building energy bills are calculated at the building level, making it difficult for individual occupants to understand and improve energy efficiency, as they lack personalized energy usage visualization.
Innovation Solution
A software-centric approach that collects sensor data from VAV boxes, electric meters, and gas meters to split whole building energy consumption across zones, providing individualized energy consumption metrics and visualizations, allowing for better energy resource management without additional hardware installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional hardware sensors are installed to monitor energy usage at individual room or zone level, then measurement precision of zone energy consumption is improved, but device complexity and investment cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses VAV box sensors as intermediaries that already exist in the building infrastructure. These sensors measure air flow and temperature, which serve as proxy measurements for zone energy consumption without requiring direct installation of new energy monitoring sensors in each zone. The energy split calculation algorithm acts as a mediator to translate these intermediate measurements into zone-level energy consumption data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual model of energy consumption distribution across zones by copying and allocating the total building energy consumption data based on VAV box sensor readings. Instead of physically measuring energy in each zone, the system creates a computational copy of the energy distribution pattern based on air flow proportions, thereby achieving zone-level measurement precision through software rather than additional hardware.
2Productivity
If energy split calculation algorithms are implemented to provide personalized energy usage visualization, then occupant motivation for energy savings is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the total building energy consumption into individual zone contributions by allocating energy costs based on VAV box sensor data. This segmentation creates personalized energy usage views for different occupants or zones, enabling targeted energy-saving initiatives. The energy split calculation divides the aggregate energy data into manageable, attributable portions for each zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by providing occupants with real-time or near-real-time visualization of their zone's energy consumption compared to other zones. This feedback mechanism motivates occupants to modify behavior and reduce energy usage. The energy split calculation continuously updates zone energy assignments based on current sensor readings, creating a dynamic feedback loop that drives energy savings productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method of splitting whole building energy consumption includes collecting sensor data from a plurality Variable Air Volume (VAV) boxes in a building, an electric meter in the building, and a gas meter in the building. The total heating energy consumption is split across a plurality of zones within the building using the sensor data, thereby yielding heating energy consumption for each zone. The total cooling energy consumption is split across the plurality of zones using the sensor data, thereby yielding cooling energy consumption for each zone and the total ventilation energy consumption is split across the plurality of zones using the sensor data, thereby yielding ventilation energy consumption for each zone. Zone energy consumption by aggregating the heating energy consumption for the zone, the cooling energy consumption for the zone, and the ventilation energy consumption for the zone.