STTR Phase I: Software-Based Building Airflow Analysis Tool for Enabling HVAC Energy Use Savings in Commercial Buildings

这个小型企业技术转让(STTR)第一阶段项目将为基于软件的独特建筑气流分析工具建立概念验证，用于测量和优化商业建筑中的气流速度。使用现有的建筑自动化系统(BAS)，通过基于物理的房间热模型和系统识别(SI)例程，使用房间温度对气流速度受控扰动的响应来确定每个房间每小时的空气变化。建议的研究集中于开发适用于BAS体系结构的算法，并在几个大型建筑测试中建立概念验证，不仅验证SI过程，而且建立实际的节能和价值主张。我们技术背后的概念是两个不同领域的独特整合，将SI的动态性质从控制理论带入到暖通空调系统诊断和测量的典型静态或准静态方面。这项研究使智能建筑控制方法的开发成为可能，该方法将使建筑暖通空调的能源利用更加高效。这项研究的目标是成功地进行概念验证和基本思想的大规模验证，这将为该技术的商业化定位。该项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力解决了一个普遍存在的问题，这个问题每年浪费数十亿美元，产生数百万吨温室气体：移动和调节过多空气的供暖、通风和空调(HVAC)系统。这是因为许多大型办公楼的设计都是在能源廉价的时候进行的，它们的设计使用了高于必要水平的最低风速来维持住户的通风。通过该STTR项目开发的技术将实现一种独特的软件工具，该工具可以将气流水平降至最低，同时仍能满足通风和热舒适目标。这项新技术凭借其低成本和可伸缩性，实现了一种新的高利润率的商业模式，这一切都是因为它是基于软件的，并通过现有的建筑自动化系统实施。这项技术的商业化将进一步促进商业建筑的能效投资，这是一个需要较短回收期和低风险投资的市场。由于商业建筑代表着巨大的已建基础设施，周转非常缓慢，这项技术的发展将为提高国内可持续性提供重要机会，因为商业建筑每年排放的温室气体占18%，占全国电力需求的36%。

This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project will establish proof of concept for a unique, software-based Building Airflow Analysis Tool for measuring and optimizing airflow rates in commercial buildings. Using the existing Building Automation System (BAS), room temperature responses to controlled perturbations of airflow rates are used with a physics-based room thermal model and system identification (SI) routine to determine air changes per hour for each room. The proposed research focuses on developing algorithms that will work in BAS architectures and establish proof-of-concept in several large scale building tests, not only to validate the SI procedure, but also to establish actual energy savings and value proposition. The concept behind our technology is a unique integration of two diverse areas, bringing the dynamic nature of SI from control theory to the typically static or quasi-static aspects of HVAC system diagnostics and measurements. This research enables development of a smart building controls approach that will make building HVAC energy use more efficient. The successful proof-of-concept and large-scale validation of the basic idea, that are the goals of this research, will position the technology for commercialization. The broader impact/commercial potential of this project addresses a widespread problem that wastes billions of dollars and creates millions of metric tons of green house gases every year: heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems that move and condition too much air. This occurs since many large office buildings were designed when energy was cheap and their designs use minimum airflow rates above necessary levels for maintaining occupant ventilation. The technology developed through this STTR project will enable a unique software tool that can minimize airflow levels, while still meeting the ventilation and thermal comfort objectives. The new technology enables a new high margin business model by virtue of its low cost and scalability, all made possible because it is software-based and implemented through the existing Building Automation System. Commercialization of this technology will further catalyze energy efficiency investments in commercial buildings, a market that demands short payback periods and low risk investments. With commercial buildings representing an enormous built infrastructure with very slow turnover, development of this technology will enable a significant opportunity to improve domestic sustainability since commercial buildings account for 18% of the annual GHG emissions and 36% of the national electric demand.