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Residential Building Adaptive Energy Management System (R-BAEMS) Design

EPA Grant Number: SU833953
Title: Residential Building Adaptive Energy Management System (R-BAEMS) Design
Investigators: Lough, Katie Grantham , Baur, Stuart W. , Stone, Robert
Institution: Missouri University of Science and Technology
EPA Project Officer: Nolt-Helms, Cynthia
Project Period: August 31, 2008 through July 31, 2009
Project Amount: $10,000
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2008)
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Challenge Area - Built Environment

Description:

Objective:

The research objective of this proposal is to measure the environmental impact of automated energy management systems for residential structures. Residential climate control and creature comfort needs account for the majority of the residential energy demand. Many guidelines exist for design of passive solar characteristics in a structure to reduce heating and lighting demands. However, fewer design strategies exist for incorporating active energy management systems (AEMS) into residential structures. This research will address that gap in the sustainable built environment knowledge by investigating the type, usage and placement of sensors to monitor temperature and humidity and actuators to modify the interior climate of residential structures. Feasibility of a residential building adaptive energy management system (R-BAEMS for short and pronounced R-beems) will be determined by measuring the energy usage between two similar houses – one implemented with a R-BAEMS and one with no active system. The initial costs of the R-BAEMS along with the (assumed) energy savings achieved by the R-BAEMS outfitted house will be used to calculate a return on investment.

Approach:

In order to accomplish the research objective, two houses at the University of Missouri-Rolla (UMR) Solar Village will be instrumented with a sensor suite that will allow a comprehensive array of inside and outside readings of temperature, humidity, solar intensity, wind (speed and direction) and fluid flow. The two houses, part of previous Solar Decathlon competitions, are similar in conditioned space and volume, insulation and heating and cooling systems. The AEMS implemented house will be tested with different control algorithms as well to determine the more optimal controller design.

Expected Results:

The expected output of the project will be an experimentally determined R-BAEMS specification. The expected outcomes will include 1) a set of guidelines for implementing R-BAEMS in residential structures from both a retrofit and original design perspective and 2) a cost and energy analysis of R-BAEMS impact on the environment.


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The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.

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