Energy Use Model for Building ECM Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is challenging to effectively analyze the impact of energy conservation measures (ECMs) in commercial buildings, as existing methods require extensive data collection and analysis, making it difficult to identify potential areas for improvement and set realistic energy performance goals.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize an energy use model to generate statistics for a building by receiving its data, comparing it to similar buildings, and identifying outliers, allowing for the identification of potential ECMs and setting realistic goals through multivariate statistical analysis and lean energy analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If extensive data collection and analysis methods are used to identify ECM opportunities, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual model (energy use model) that replicates the building's energy consumption patterns without requiring physical intervention or complex measurement infrastructure. This digital copy allows for extensive analysis of ECM impacts while avoiding the complexity of corresponding physical measurement systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy use model serves as an intermediary between raw building data and ECM impact analysis. Instead of directly analyzing complex building operations, the model acts as a mediator that processes building characteristics and operational data to produce meaningful ECM opportunity identifications, simplifying the overall analysis system.
2Loss of information
If detailed building data collection is performed to identify ECM opportunities, then information completeness improves, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by creating the energy use model in advance, which pre-processes and organizes building characteristics and operational data. This preliminary modeling enables rapid ECM opportunity identification later, as the foundational analysis work has already been completed and stored in the virtual model.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy use model transforms physical building parameters into a standardized digital format with consistent parameter structures. By converting diverse building data into uniform model parameters, the system enables rapid comparison and analysis without requiring time-consuming data normalization during the ECM identification process.
3Measurement precision
If traditional energy analysis methods are used, then measurement precision improves, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The energy use model enables self-service analysis by automatically processing building data and generating ECM opportunity identifications without requiring manual intervention from energy specialists. The model autonomously compares simulated scenarios, evaluates ECM impacts, and presents results, making the process accessible to building operators without extensive technical training.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical analysis processes with automated computational modeling. Instead of requiring technicians to physically measure, calculate, and analyze energy consumption through manual methods, the energy use model performs all calculations and comparisons automatically using computer-based simulations, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A set of energy use model parameters for each of a plurality of buildings is used to determine a typical set of energy use model parameters for the plurality of buildings. A distance between the typical set of energy use model parameters and the set of energy use model parameters for each of the plurality of buildings is determined. Each distance is compared to a critical value. A building is identified as a candidate for energy conservation measures in response to the distance for the building exceeding the critical value. Energy conservation measures are implemented in the identified building. Implementing energy conservation measures may include replacing existing HVAC equipment in the identified building with new energy-efficient HVAC equipment.