Calibration of Predicted Hourly Zone-Level Supply Air Flows with Measurements

The calibrated building energy models can be used for the verification and improvement of building operation. This paper proposes a bottom-up approach for the assisted calibration of a building energy model developed with eQuest program, and using data extracted from the Building Energy Management System (EMS). The paper presents the calibration of predicted hourly zone-level supply air flows with measurements. The suggested approach is applied to a new institutional building of Concordia University. The paper presents results from different techniques to assess the agreement quality

Multi-objective optimal design of a near net zero energy solar house

This paper presents a multi-objective redesign case study of an archetype solar house based on a near net zero energy (NZE) demonstration home located in Eastman, Quebec. Using optimization techniques, pathways are identified from the original design to both cost and energy optimal designs. An evolutionary algorithm is used to optimize trade-offs between passive solar gains and active solar generation, using two objective functions: net-energy consumption and life-cycle cost over a thirty-year life cycle. In addition, this paper explores different pathways to net zero energy based on economic incentives, such as feed-in tariffs for on-site electricity production from renewables. The main objective is to identify pathways to net zero energy that will facilitate the future systematic design of similar homes based on the concept of the archetype that combines passive solar design; energy-efficiency measures, including a geothermal heat pump; and a building-integrated photovoltaic system. Results from this paper can be utilized as follows: (1) systematic design improvements and applications of lessons learned from a proven NZE home design concept, (2) use of a methodology to understand pathways to cost and energy optimal building designs, and (3) to aid in policy development on economic incentives that can positively influence optimized home design

Use of Building Automation System Trend Data for Inputs Generation in Bottom-Up Simulation Calibration

Ongoing commissioning based on calibrated energy models is one of the most promising means to improve the energy performance of existing buildings. The bottom-up calibration approach starts the calibration on a zone level before sequentially calibrating the system, plant, and whole-building level models. The hypothesis is that bottom-up calibration can create more reliable and accurate models than those created with existing approaches. The number of candidate measurement points to be considered for analysis and use in simulation is very large. This paper explores automating the process of generating inputs from Building Automation System (BAS) trend data for use in building simulation software. A proof-of-concept prototype called the Automatic Assisted Calibration System (AACS) was created which generated multiple eQUEST inputs from BAS trend data obtained from a case study building

An information driven hybrid evolutionary algorithm for optimal design of a Net Zero Energy House

Building Performance Simulation (BPS) is a powerful tool to estimate and reduce building energy consumption at the design stage. However, the true potential of BPS remains unrealized if trial and error simulation methods are practiced to identify combinations of parameters to reduce energy use of design alternatives. Optimization algorithms coupled with BPS is a process-orientated tool which identifies optimal building configurations using conflicting performance indicators. However, the application of optimization approaches to building design is not common practice due to time and computation requirements. This paper proposes a hybrid evolutionary algorithm which uses information gained during previous simulations to expedite and improve algorithm convergence using targeted deterministic searches. This technique is applied to a net-zero energy home case study to optimize trade-offs in passive solar gains and active solar generation using a cost constraint

Thermodynamic analysis of humidification dehumidification desalination cycles

Humidification–dehumidification desalination (HDH) is a promising technology for small-scale water production applications. There are several embodiments of this technology which have been investigated by researchers around the world. However, from a previous literature [1], we have found that no study carried out a detailed thermodynamic analysis in order to improve and/ or optimize the system performance. In this paper, we analyze the thermodynamic performance of various HDH cycles by way of a theoretical cycle analysis. In addition, we propose novel high performance variations on those cycles. These high-performance cycles include multi-extraction, multi-pressure and thermal vapor compression cycles. It is predicted that the systems based on these novel cycles will have gained output ratio in excess of 5 and will outperform existing HDH systems.King Fahd University of Petroleum and MineralsCenter for Clean Water and Clean Energy at MIT and KFUP

Solar Performance of a Dome-Covered House

A dome-covered house is an example of designing sustainable buildings by learning from the optimized biological forms from the nature. This paper presents the solar-thermal model for a transparent dome built above one of the several houses located in Montreal. The incident solar radiation on selected cells, the roof and wall surface are presented. The dome-covered helps to reduce the heating load by 79.3% on January 21st with annual average reduction of 92.9% and if the house is located in Yellowknife, the annual heating load reduction would be 56.3%.</jats:p

An optimization methodology to evaluate the effect size of incentives on energy-cost optimal curves

This paper presents a methodology to measure the effect of economic incentives on energy-cost optimal curves. A case-study using a net-zero energy home, located in Montréal, demonstrated the methodology. An EnergyPlus model evaluated the net-energy consumption objective function using 17 design variables. The life-cycle cost objective function was evaluated by post-processing energy simulation results. A multiobjective evolutionary algorithm searched the solution space for energy-cost optimal curves. The proposed methodology may be useful for policy makers seeking opportunities to reduce the initial and life-cycle costs of high-performance buildings. Copyrigh