UC Berkeley's Cory Hall: Evaluation of Challenges and Potential Applications of Building-to-Grid Implementation

From September 2009 through June 2010, a team of researchers developed, installed, and tested instrumentation on the energy flows in Cory Hall on the UC Berkeley campus to create a Building-to-Grid testbed. The UC Berkeley team was headed by Professor David Culler, and assisted by members from EnerNex, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, California State University Sacramento, and the California Institute for Energy & Environment. While the Berkeley team mapped the load tree of the building, EnerNex researched types of meters, submeters, monitors, and sensors to be used (Task 1). Next the UC Berkeley team analyzed building needs and designed the network of metering components and data storage/visualization software (Task 2). After meeting with vendors in January, the UCB team procured and installed the components starting in late March (Task 3). Next, the UCB team tested and demonstrated the system (Task 4). Meanwhile, the CSUS team documented the methodology and steps necessary to implement a testbed (Task 5) and Harold Galicer developed a roadmap for the CSUS Smart Grid Center with results from the testbed (Task 5a) and evaluated the Cory Hall implementation process (Task 5b). The CSUS team also worked with local utilities to develop an approach to the energy information communication link between buildings and the utility (Task 6). The UC Berkeley team then prepared a roadmap to outline necessary technology development for Building-to-Grid, and presented the results of the project in early July (Task 7). Finally, CIEE evaluated the implementation, noting challenges and potential applications of Building-to-Grid (Task 8). These deliverables are available at the i4Energy site: http://i4energy.org/

Higher-Order Simulations: Strategic Investment Under Model-Induced Price Patterns

The trading and investment decision processes in financial markets become ever more dependent on the use of valuation and risk models. In the case of risk management for instance, modelling practice has become quite homogeneous and the question arises as to the effect this has on the price formation process. Furthermore, sophisticated investors who have private information about the use and characteristics of these models might be able to make superior gains in such an environment. The aim of this article is to test this hypothesis in a stylised market, where a strategic investor trades on information about the valuation and risk management models used by other market participants. Simulation results show that under certain market conditions, such a \'higher-order\' strategy generates higher profits than standard fundamental and momentum strategies that do not draw on information about model use.Financial Markets, Multi-Agent Simulation, Performativity, Higher-Order Strategies

Tailored gamification and serious game framework based on fuzzy logic for saving energy in connected thermostats

Connected thermostats (CTs) often save less energy than predicted because consumers may not know how to use them and may not be engaged in saving energy. Additionally, several models perform contrary to consumers’ expectations and are thus not used the way they are intended to. As a result, CTs save less energy and are underused in households. This paper reviews aspects of gamification and serious games focused on engaging consumers. A gamification and serious games framework is proposed for saving energy that is tailored by a fuzzy logic system to motivate connected thermostat consumers. This intelligent gamification framework can be used to customize the gamification and serious game strategy to each consumer so that fuzzy logic systems can be adapted according to the requirements of each consumer. The framework is designed to teach, engage, and motivate consumers while helping them save electrical energy when using their thermostats. It is described the proposed framework as well as a mockup that can be run on a cellphone. Although this framework is designed to be implemented in CTs, it can be translated to their energy devices in smart homes

Open Software-Architecture for Building Monitoring and Control

Information technology can increase energy efficiency by improving the control of energy-using devices and systems. Awareness of this potential is not new—ideas for applications of information technology for energy efficiency have been promoted for more than 20 years. But much of the potential gain from the application of information technology has not yet been realized. Today a combination of new requirements for the operation of the electricity system and the development of new technology has the potential to cause a rapid increase in the pace of adoption of improved controls. In this paper we discuss one promising avenue for technology advancement. First, we review some basic concepts with emphasis on open software-architecture. Then we describe the components of XBOS, a realization of this open software-architecture. XBOS has the ability to monitor and control many different sensors and devices using both wired and wireless communication and a variety of communication protocols. Finally, we illustrate the capabilities of XBOS with examples from an XBOS installation in a small commercial office building in Berkeley California

Open-Source, Open-Architecture SoftwarePlatform for Plug-InElectric Vehicle SmartCharging in California

This interdisciplinary eXtensible Building Operating System–Vehicles project focuses on controlling plug-in electric vehicle charging at residential and small commercial settings using a novel and flexible open-source, open-architecture charge communication and control platform. The platform provides smart charging functionalities and benefits to the utility, homes, and businesses.This project investigates four important areas of vehicle-grid integration research, integrating technical as well as social and behavioral dimensions: smart charging user needs assessment, advanced load control platform development and testing, smart charging impacts, benefits to the power grid, and smart charging ratepayer benefits

Simulación realista de los mercados financieros con sistemas multi-agentes

Els mercats financers són un exemple paradigmàtic de sistemes complexos adaptatius. Els paradigmes tradicionals de modelització no permeten reflexar aquesta realitat i hem de recórrer a noves eines. Presentem la simulació basada en sistemes multi-agents com el paradigma idoni per a analitzar els mercats financers en tota la seva complexitat. És un mètode que permet estudiar el comportament global del mercat a partir de la seva microestructura, i ja ha suggerit explicacions per a algunes de les regularitats estadístiques observades en una gran varietat de mercats. Exposem, a més amés, els primers passos en la construcció d'una simulació realista del mercat de bons.Financial markets are a paradigmatic case of complex adaptive systems. However, their complexity cannot be captured by traditional modelisation paradigms and we thus need to turn to new modelling tools. We present agent-based simulation as the suitable paradigm to analyse financial markets: this method allows to study the market macro behaviour on the basis of its microstructure, and some advances have already been done in the analysis and explanation of the stylised facts observed in a range of markets. We moreover describe the first steps we have undertaken to build a realistic simulation of a bond market

A game based approach to improve traders' decision-making

Purpose: The development of a game based approach to improving the decision-making capabilities of financial traders through attention to improving the regulation of emotions during trading. Design/methodology/approach: The project used a design-based research approach to integrate the contributions of a highly inter-disciplinary team. The approach was underpinned by considerable stakeholder engagement to understand the ‘ecology of practices’ in which this learning approach should be embedded. Findings: Taken together, our 35 laboratory, field and evaluation studies provide much support for the validity of our game based learning approach, the learning elements which make it up, and the value of designing game-based learning to fit within an ecology of existing practices. Originality/value: The novelty of the work described in the paper comes from the focus in this research project of combining knowledge and skills from multiple disciplines informed by a deep understanding of the context of application to achieve the successful development of a Learning Pathway, which addresses the transfer of learning to the practice environment Key words: Design-based research, emotion-regulation, disposition–effect, financial traders, serious games, sensor-based game

Science Classroom Inquiry (SCI) simulations: A novel method to scaffold science learning

Science education is progressively more focused on employing inquiry-based learning methods in the classroom and increasing scientific literacy among students. However, due to time and resource constraints, many classroom science activities and laboratory experiments focus on simple inquiry, with a step-by-step approach to reach predetermined outcomes. The science classroom inquiry (SCI) simulations were designed to give students real life, authentic science experiences within the confines of a typical classroom. The SCI simulations allow students to engage with a science problem in a meaningful, inquiry-based manner. Three discrete SCI simulations were created as website applications for use with middle school and high school students. For each simulation, students were tasked with solving a scientific problem through investigation and hypothesis testing. After completion of the simulation, 67% of students reported a change in how they perceived authentic science practices, specifically related to the complex and dynamic nature of scientific research and how scientists approach problems. Moreover, 80% of the students who did not report a change in how they viewed the practice of science indicated that the simulation confirmed or strengthened their prior understanding. Additionally, we found a statistically significant positive correlation between students' self-reported changes in understanding of authentic science practices and the degree to which each simulation benefitted learning. Since SCI simulations were effective in promoting both student learning and student understanding of authentic science practices with both middle and high school students, we propose that SCI simulations are a valuable and versatile technology that can be used to educate and inspire a wide range of science students on the real-world complexities inherent in scientific study

Cross-species comparison of CAR-mediated procarcinogenic key events in a 3D liver microtissue model

Characterisation of the mode of action (MOA) of constitutive androstane receptor (CAR)-mediated rodent liver tumours involves measurement 5 key events including activation of the CAR receptor, altered gene expression, hepatocellular proliferation, clonal expansion and increased hepatocellular adenomas/carcinomas. To test whether or not liver 3D microtissues (LiMTs) recapitulate CAR- mediated procarcinogenic key events in response to the prototypical CAR activator phenobarbital (PB) we performed hepatocyte proliferation (LI%) analysis in rat and human LiMTs using a microTMA technology in conjunction with integrated transcriptomics (microarray) and proteomics analysis. The rationale for this approach was that LiMTs containing parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells (NPCs) are more physiologically representative of liver and thus would generate data more relevant to the in vivo situation. Rat and human LiMTs were treated with PB over a range of concentrations (500 uM - 2000 uM) and times (24 h - 96 h) in a dose-response/time-course analysis. There was a dose-dependent induction of LI% in rat LiMTs, however there was little or no effect of PB on LI% in human LiMTs. ATP levels in the rat and human LiMTs were similar to control in all of the PB treatments. There was also a dose- and time-dependent PB-mediated RNA induction of CAR regulated genes CYP2B6/Cyp2b2, CYP3A7/Cyp3a9 and UGT1A6/Ugt1a6 in human and rat LiMTs, respectively. These CAR regulated genes were also upregulated at the protein level. Ingenuity pathways analysis (IPA) indicated that there was a significant (Z score &gt;2.0;-log p value &gt;) activation of CAR by PB in both human and rat LiMTs. These results indicate that human and rat LiMTs showed the expected responses at the level of PB-induced hepatocyte proliferation and enzyme induction with rat LiMTs showing significant dose-dependent effects while human LiMTs showed no proliferation response but did show dose-dependent enzyme induction at the RNA and protein levels. In conclusion LiMTs serve as a model to provide mechanistic data for 3 of the 5 key events considered necessary to establish a CAR-mediated MOA for liver tumourigenesis and thus can potentially reduce the use of animals when compiling mechanistic data packages.</p

Integrating Smart Ceiling Fans and Communicating Thermostats to Provide Energy-Efficient Comfort

The project goal was to identify and test the integration of smart ceiling fans and communicating thermostats. These highly efficient ceiling fans use as much power as an LED light bulb and have onboard temperature and occupancy sensors for automatic operationbased on space conditions. The Center for the Environment (CBE) at UC Berkeley led the research team including TRC, Association for Energy Affordability (AEA), and Big Ass Fans (BAF). The research team conducted laboratory tests, installed99 ceiling fans and 12 thermostats in four affordable multifamily housing sites in California’s Central Valley, interviewed stakeholders to develop a case study, developed an online design tool and design guide, outlined codes and standards outreach, and published several papers.The project team raised indoor cooling temperature setpoints and used ceiling fans as the first stage of cooling; this sequencing of ceiling fans and air conditioningreducesenergy consumption, especially during peak periods, while providing thermal comfort.The field demonstration resulted in 39% measured compressor energy savings during the April–October cooling seasoncompared to baseline conditions, normalized for floor area. Weather-normalized energy use varied from a 36% increase to 71% savings, withmedian savings of 15%.This variability reflects the diversity in buildings, mechanical systems, prior operation settings, space types, andoccupants’ schedules,preferences, and motivations. All commercial spaces with regular occupancy schedules (and twoof the irregularly-occupied commercial spaces and one of the homes) showed energy savings on an absolute basis before normalizing for warmer intervention temperatures,and 10 of 13 sites showed energy savings on a weather-normalized basis. The ceiling fans provided cooling for one site for months during hot weather when the coolingequipment failed.Occupants reported high satisfaction with the ceiling fans and improved thermal comfort. This technology can apply to new and retrofit residential and commercial buildings