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）第一阶段项目将为一个独特的基于软件的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率。 使用现有的楼宇自动化系统（BAS），房间温度响应控制扰动的气流速率与基于物理的房间热模型和系统识别（SI）例程，以确定每个房间每小时的空气变化。 拟议的研究重点是开发将在BAS架构中工作的算法，并在几个大规模建筑测试中建立概念验证，不仅要验证SI程序，还要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集成，将SI的动态性质从控制理论带到HVAC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，这将使建筑HVAC能源的使用更加有效。成功的概念验证和大规模验证的基本想法，这是本研究的目标，将定位商业化的技术。 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，即每年浪费数十亿美元并产生数百万公吨的绿色室内气体：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是在能源便宜的时候设计的，并且它们的设计使用高于维持居住者通风所需水平的最小气流速率。通过STTR项目开发的技术将实现一种独特的软件工具，可以最大限度地减少气流水平，同时仍然满足通风和热舒适性目标。这项新技术凭借其低成本和可扩展性实现了新的高利润商业模式，所有这些都是因为它是基于软件的，并通过现有的楼宇自动化系统实现。 这项技术的商业化将进一步促进商业建筑的能源效率投资，这是一个需要短投资回收期和低风险投资的市场。由于商业建筑是一个巨大的建筑基础设施，周转非常缓慢，这项技术的开发将为改善国内可持续性提供重要机会，因为商业建筑占年度温室气体排放量的18%和全国电力需求的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.