A Methodology for Introducing M&V Adjustments during an Energy Retrofit Impact Assessment

Nikos Sakkas^*, Evangelos Kaltsis

Applied Industrial Technologies Ltd., Gerakas, Greece.

DOI: 10.4236/ojee.2014.33008                

Abstract

The assessment of an energy retrofit necessarily requires an energy measurement campaign before (base year energy consumption) and after (post retrofit energy consumption) the retrofit. Only in this way is it possible to reach a safe conclusion, on the true retrofit impact. In addition, a number of adjustments are necessary to secure that the retrofit impact on energy consumption is effectively isolated, i.e., which we report on the true retrofit impact and not, for example, on external variations, such as a more mild winter. This paper introduces a conceptual framework for taking account, in the retrofit impact assessment, of three external parameters: weather, indoor comfort and space occupancy. The broader strategy behind this work is to develop a comprehensive methodology that would allow a cost efficient, fast and accurate assessment of energy retrofits in buildings. This would allow insight, on the investor side, as to the prudence of his investment and, and in this way, could help the proliferation of the practice of energy retrofits. The adjustment methodology, introduced here, is a first step in this direction.

Keywords

Energy Retrofit, Impact Assessment, External Parameter Adjustment, Occupancy, Operational Retrofit

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	IPMVP, International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (2010) Concepts and Options for Determining Energy and Water Savings. Efficiency Valuation Organization.
[2]	ASHRAE (2002) Ashrae Guideline 14: Measurement of Energy and Demand Savings. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers Inc., Atlanta, GA.
[3]	Burkharta, M.C., Heob, Y. and Zavala, V.M. (2014) Measurement and Verification of Building Systems under Uncertain Data: A Gaussian Process Modeling Approach. Energy and Buildings, 75, 189-198. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2014.01.048
[4]	Srivastava, A., Tewaria, A. and Dongb, B. (2013) Baseline Building Energy Modeling and Localized Uncertainty Quantification Using Gaussian Mixture Models. Energy and Buildings, 65, 438-447. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2013.05.037
[5]	Wang, L.P., Mathew, P. and Pang, X.F. (2012) Uncertainties in Energy Consumption Introduced by Building Operations and Weather for a Medium-Size Office Building. Energy and Buildings, 53, 152-158. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2012.06.017
[6]	Walter, T., Price, P.N. and Sohn, M.D. (2014) Uncertainty Estimation Improves Energy Measurement and Verification Procedures. Applied Energy, 130, 230-236. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2014.05.030
[7]	Kissock, J.K. (1993) A Methodology to Measure Retrofit Energy Savings in Commercial Buildings. Ph.D. Thesis, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University.
[8]	Krarti, M., Kreider, J., Cohen, D. and Curtiss, P. (1998) Prediction of Energy Saving for Building Retrofits Using Neural Networks. Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, 120, 47-53. http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/1.2888071
[9]	Dhar, A., Reddy, T. and Claridge, D. (1999) A Fourier Series Model to Predict Hourly Heating and Cooling Energy Use in Commercial Buildings with Outdoor Temperature as the Only Weather Variable. Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, 121, 47-53. http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/1.2888142
[10]	Reddy, T.A., Saman, N.F., Claridge, D.E., Haberl, J.S., Turner, W.D. and Chalifoux, A.T. (1997) Baselining Methodology for Facility-Level Monthly Energy Use—Part 1: Theoretical Aspects. ASHRAE Transactions, 103, Part 2.
[11]	Fels, M. (1986) Special Issue Devoted to Measuring Energy Savings, the Princeton Score Keeping Method (PRISM). Energy and Buildings, 9, 5-18.
[12]	Kaiser, M.J. and Pulsipher, A.G. (2010) Preliminary Assessment of the Louisiana Home Energy Rebate Offer Program Using IPMVP Guidelines. Applied Energy, 87, 691-702. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2009.08.001
[13]	Knight, I.P. and Dunn, G.N. (2003) Evaluation of Heat Gains in UK Office Environments. Worldwide CIBSE/ASHRAE Gathering of the Building Services Industry, Edinburgh.
[14]	Hoes, P., Hensen, J.L.M., Loomans, M.G.L.C., de Vries, B. and Bourgeois, D. (2009) User Behavior in Whole Building Simulation. Energy and Buildings, 41, 295-302. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2008.09.008
[15]	Seligman, C., Darley, J.M. and Becker, L. (1997) Behavioral Approaches to Residential Energy Conservation. Energy and Buildings, 1, 325-337. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0378-7788(78)90012-9
[16]	Stern, P.C. (1985) Energy Efficiency in Buildings: Behavioral Issues. National Academy Press, Washington DC.
[17]	Stern, P.C. (2000) New Environmental Theories: Towards a Coherent Theory of Environmentally Significant Behavior. Journal of Social Issues, 56, 407-424. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/0022-4537.00175
[18]	Owens, J. and Wilhite, H. (1988) Household Energy Behavior in Nordic Countries: An Unrealized Energy Saving Potential. Energy, 13, 853-859. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0360-5442(88)90050-3
[19]	Lutzenhiser, L. (1993) Social and Behavioral Aspects of Energy Use. Annual Review of Energy and the Environment, 18, 247-289. http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev.eg.18.110193.001335
[20]	Mullaly, C. (1998) Home Energy Use Behavior: A Necessary Component of Successful Local Government Home Energy Conservation Programs. Energy Policy, 26, 1041-1052. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0301-4215(98)00046-9
[21]	Steg, L. (2008) Promoting Household Energy Conservation. Energy Policy, 36, 4449-4453. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2008.09.027
[22]	Guerra-Santin, O., Itard, L. and Visscher, H. (2009) The Effect of Occupancy and Building Characteristics on Energy Use for Space and Water Heating in Dutch Residential Stock. Energy and Buildings, 41, 1223-1232. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2009.07.002
[23]	Guerra-Santin, O. and Itard, L. (2010) Occupants’ Behavior: Determinants and Effects on Residential Heating Consumption. Building Research and Information, 38, 318-338. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09613211003661074
[24]	Gram-Hansen, K. (2010) Residential Heat Comfort Practices: Understanding Users. Building Research and Information, 38, 175-186. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09613210903541527
[25]	Gram-Hansen, K. (2011) Households’ Energy Use—Which Is the More Important: Efficient Technologies or User Practices. Proceedings of the World Renewable Energy Congress, Linkoping, 8-13 May 2011.
[26]	Haas, R. and Biermayr, P. (2000) The Rebound Effect for Space Heating—Empirical Evidence from Austria. Energy Policy, 28, 403-410. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0301-4215(00)00023-9
[27]	Sunikka-Blank, M. and Galvin, R. (2012) Introducing the Prebound Effect: The Gap between Performance and Actual Energy Consumption. Building Research and Information, 40, 260-273. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2012.690952
[28]	Baker, N. and Steemers, K. (2000) Energy and Environment in Architecture: A Technical Design Guide. Taylor & Francis, London.
[29]	Steemers, K. and Yun, G.Y. (2009) Household Energy Consumption: A Study of the Role of Occupants. Building Research and Information, 37, 625-637. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09613210903186661