Realizing High-Performance Buildings
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Coleman, Philip↗
Engineering topics
Scheib, Jennifer
Publications and source records attributed to Scheib, Jennifer.
Large-Scale Daylighting Analysis for Buildings, Products, and Policy
Daylighting in buildings has come under increased scorn in the wake of ubiquitous solid-state lighting (SSL), as installed lighting power densities in buildings have been reduced to the point where designers and owners question the benefits of properly-designed daylighting and electric lighting control. At the same time the very process of demonstrating well-executed daylighting to satisfy new building rating systems has become burdensome. This paper demonstrates the utility of illuminance as an input to simple, existing qualitative and quantitative metrics for daylighting performance in buildings, at scale. This assertion is supported by sensitivity analysis of a large-scale daylighting simulation dataset. Uses of this data for quantifying non-energy benefits (NEBs) of daylighting are also explored. We do not eschew the use of newer, more detailed daylight metrics in design, but we do encourage the use of simple daylight metrics for a broader range of new and retrofit building projects toward a net-zero future.
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
Supervisory Control of Loads and Energy Storage in Next-Generation Zero Energy Buildings
A zero energy building (ZEB)—also known as a net zero energy or zero net energy building—is a building that exports as much renewable energy as the total energy it imports from other sources on an annual basis (DOE 2015). Large-scale and commercially viable ZEBs are now in the marketplace, and they are expected to become a larger share of the commercial building footprint as government and private sector policies continue to promote the development of buildings that produce more on-site energy than they use. However, the load profiles of ZEBs are currently perceived by electric utilities to be unfavorable and unpredictable. As shown in Figure ES-1, ZEB load profiles can have abrupt changes in magnitude, at times switching rapidly between exporting and importing electricity. This is a challenge for utilities, which are responsible for constantly balancing electricity supply and demand across the grid. Addressing these concerns will require new strategies and tools.
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
Comparative Study of DC and AC Microgrids in Commercial Buildings Across Different Climates and Operating Profiles
Bosch has developed and demonstrated a novel direct current (DC) microgrid system that maximizes the efficiency of locally generated photovoltaic energy while offering high reliability, safety, redundancy, and reduced cost compared to equivalent alternating current (AC) systems. Several demonstration projects validating the system feasibility and expected efficiency gains have been completed and additional ones are in progress. This paper gives an overview of the Bosch DC microgrid system and presents key results from a large simulation study done to estimate the energy savings of the Bosch DC microgrid over conventional AC systems. The study examined the system performance in locations across the United States for several commercial building types and operating profiles. It found that the Bosch DC microgrid uses generated PV energy 6%-8% more efficiently than traditional AC systems.
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗