BFRL Strategic Goal

Measurement Science for Net Zero Energy, High-Performance Buildings

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Residential Fuel Cell Undergoing Testing in a NIST Laboratory Three-dimensional maps indicate the location of excess moisture within a wall. What is the problem?  Buildings account for 40 percent of the United States’ energy use and a similar percentage of carbon dioxide emissions, more than the transportation or industrial sectors. Emissions associated with buildings and appliances are projected to grow faster than those from any other sector. In order to ensure adequate supplies of energy and to curtail the projected growth of CO2 emissions, it is essential that building energy consumption be significantly reduced. One way this can be achieved is through the introduction of innovative building technologies enabled by new measurement science. In addition to energy issues, building operation practices face pressure to improve safety, security, and occupant comfort and health. Building control companies, equipment and system manufacturers, energy providers, utilities, and design engineers are under increasing pressure to improve performance and reduce costs by developing cybernetic building systems that integrate more and more building services, including energy management, fire and security, transportation, fault detection and diagnostics, optimal control, the real time purchase of electricity, and the aggregation of building stock. Measurement science is lacking to enable these systems to communicate, interact, share information, make decisions, and perform in a “synergistic” and reliable manner. Specific needs include standard data models, communication protocols, user interface standards, security procedures, testing tools, and performance metrics. Overcoming these barriers is critical if cybernetic building systems are to be successful and if the U.S. is to obtain a significant share of the developing world wide market for such systems. Why is it hard to solve?  Buildings are complex systems of interacting subsystems. Past improvements in the energy performance of individual components/systems have not resulted in the expected reductions in overall building energy consumption. The industry is very sensitive to first cost of new technologies and performance goals often conflict such as energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and comfort. Because a mismatch exists between who invests (builders and manufacturers) and who benefits (public), public sector involvement is necessary to overcome the initial barrier of developing the measurement science. Performance measurements made on individual components in carefully controlled laboratory test environments are idealized and captures neither the complexities of actual building installation nor the dynamic interactions of multiple subsystems. An integrated portfolio of measurement science capabilities is needed that not only supports innovation in the design and manufacturing of individual components and systems, but also captures the system complexities and interactions seen in a real building. Each individual measurement capability presents technical challenges, and the overall goal of significantly improved energy performance can only be achieved by applying an integrated portfolio of such measurement science capabilities. Why BFRL?  BFRL is in a position to leverage its strong ties to industry stakeholders, academia, and standards organizations. BFRL has the needed technical expertise and an international reputation for excellence in the technical areas relevant to cybernetic building systems as a result of over two decades of technical work and collaboration. The energy related research within this program supports BFRL’s core competency in Measurement Science for Building Energy Technologies, and BFRL staff members have leadership positions on the key U.S. and international committees that will make use of the research results. BFRL plans to enable and promote the use of open Cybernetic Building Systems for energy efficient building operations, new integrated functionality for building systems, and improved occupant comfort and safety by developing the measurement science needed to develop, test, integrate, and demonstrate the new technology. In addition, this research will provide the measurement science that will enable the development, deployment, and use of building energy technologies that will move the Nation towards Net Zero Energy buildings while maintaining a healthy, productive, and safe indoor environment. Component Programs: Healthy and Sustainable Buildings Cybernetic Building Systems   Contact: A. Hunter Fanney Building Environment Division 301-975-5864 hunter.fanney@nist.gov