ZERO NET ENERGY BUILDING CONTROLS CHARACTERISTICS, ENERGY IMPACTS, AND LESSONS

Transcription

1 ZERO NET ENERGY BUILDING CONTROLS CHARACTERISTICS, ENERGY IMPACTS, AND LESSONS FINAL PRESENTATION TO STEERING COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 2, 2015 CATHY HIGGINS, ALEXI MILLER, MARK LYLES NEW BUILDINGS INSTITUTE 2015 Continental Automated Buildings Association (CABA). Notice: No material in this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, in whole or in part, without the express written permission of CABA.

2 Sponsors These visionary organizations sponsored this research project: THANK YOU! 2

3 Continental Automated Buildings Association The Continental Automated Buildings Association (CABA) is an international not-for-profit industry association, founded in 1988, dedicated to the advancement of connected home and building technologies. The organization is supported by an international membership of over 325 organizations involved in the design, manufacture, installation and retailing of products relating to home automation and building automation. Public organizations, including utilities and government are also members. CABA's mandate includes providing its members with networking and market research opportunities. CABA also encourages the development of industry standards and protocols, and leads crossindustry initiatives. Please visit for more information. Greg Walker, CABA Research Director 3

4 Research Team NBI and partners New Buildings Institute (NBI) is a nonprofit organization working to improve the energy performance of commercial buildings. As a technical resource for governments, utilities, energy efficiency advocates and the building industry, NBI acts as a carrier of ideas between these groups and works collaboratively to put the best innovations for advanced buildings into action. Our primary work areas are focused on creating the thought leadership that defines "What's Next" in our industry, assessing effectiveness of emerging technologies, promoting best practice design approaches and helping to guide policies and programs that will significantly improve the energy efficiency of commercial buildings. 4

5 Presentation Agenda 1. Background: Getting to Zero Net Energy Buildings 2. Research Review 3. Buildings and People 4. Types of Controls 5. Control Design Selection Process 6. User Experience 7. Energy Findings 8. Ten Key Takeaways 9. Conclusions, Implications, Recommendations 10. Discussion, Questions and Answers Embargo Period Final Report Changes Individual Organization Follow-up by November 20 5

6 GETTING TO ZERO NET ENERGY BUILDINGS CASE STUDIES RESEARCH REVIEW BUILDINGS AND PEOPLE Alexi Miller, NBI Sr. Project Manager TYPES OF CONTROLS

7 Background Getting to Zero Net Energy Buildings A Zero Net Energy (ZNE) building generates as much energy as it consumes annually. Also known as Net Zero Energy.» Zero = nothing plain & simple» Net = On-site Energy Production (renewable) minus Energy Use, over 1 year» Energy = All energy (electric, gas, steam, liquid fuel etc.) consumed on site 7

8 Background Getting to Zero Net Energy Buildings ZNE Buildings are in many building types, climate zones and sizes Small-Med Commercial Offices K-12 Schools Large Office Facilities Environmental Centers Higher Education Institutions Government Offices 8

9 Background Getting to Zero Net Energy Buildings 9

10 Background Getting to Zero Net Energy Buildings ZNE Building Ownership Types ZNE Buildings Existing vs. New 10

11 Background Getting to Zero Net Energy Buildings 11

12 CASE STUDIES (BY SPONSORS) Alexi Miller, NBI Sr. Project Manager

13 Case Study: VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitor Centre, BC (BC Hydro) High-Performance Achieved: ZNE+W, Living Building, LEED Platinum» Innovative design & flexible adaptation to actual building needs» Complex systems = complex controls. Training & collaboration required. 13 Image: Perkins + Will

14 Case Study: PNC Bank Branch, FL (Emerge Alliance) Solar panels produce Direct Current (DC); Grid uses Alternating Current (AC)» Typical: Solar Panel DC => inverter to AC => back to DC after plug level» PNC Bank Branch: Solar Panel DC => DC equipment in building» Reduces conversion inefficiencies & need for equipment» Near total elimination of grid-supplied AC during business hours 14 Photo: PNC

15 Case Study: Wayne Aspinall Courthouse, CO (EnOcean Alliance) Wireless lighting control system deployed in historic building ZNE retrofit» Integrated into building s existing Building Automation System» Relays, light switches, outdoor & indoor LUX sensors, power strips» Sensors powered by small solar cells not batteries 15 Photo: GSA, David Lester Photography

16 Case Study: DPR San Francisco Office, CA (Honeywell) Automated Integrated Building Controls» Energy, Security, Comfort, Life Safety» Map-based visualizations & integrated workflows» LEED Dynamic Plaque in lobby tracks & displays near-real-time performance data» Feedback to Operator: continuous improvement First year: Produced 115% of energy used 16 Images: DPR, Honeywell

17 Case Study: The Edge Building, Amsterdam, Neth. (Schneider Electric) Integrated Building Management, Electrical Distribution, IT Infrastructure» Building Management System: continuous feedback onsite or remotely» Integrated sensors throughout: 180+ meters installed & data captured» Occupants can use smartphone app to control LED lights & climate at work 17 Photo: Schneider Electric

18 Research Review - Overview Investigate Building Energy Monitoring & Controls Systems in Low-Energy and ZNE Buildings Areas of inquiry and participants: 1. The Selection and the System. What did they choose and why. Design Firms 2. The Energy Impact. Savings assumptions in modeling and attribution in use. Design Firms and Operators 3. The Use and User Experience. How is it being used and what is effective and lacking. Operators and Occupants 18

19 Research Review Survey Instruments» Design Team Survey» Operator Survey» Occupant Survey 19

20 Surveys Targets and Actuals 20

21 Buildings & People: List of Participant Buildings Project Location Size Range Building Type Retrofit Operator Survey Completed 435 Indio Way CA 25k - 50k sf Office X Bullitt Foundation Cascadia Center for Sustainable Design and Construction WA 50k - 100k sf Office X Cornell NYC Tech First Academic Building NY over 100k sf Education David and Lucile Packard Foundation CA 25k - 50k sf Office X DPR Construction's San Francisco Office CA 10k - 25k sf Office X Exploratorium CA over 100k sf Other X Hanover Page Mill Building CA 50k - 100k sf Office IDeAs Z2 Office Building CA 5k - 10k sf Office X Lane Community College, Downtown Academic Center OR 50k - 100k sf Education Leslie Shao-Ming Field Station at Jasper Ridge CA 5k - 10k sf Education Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Field Headquarters MA 25k - 50k sf Office Morphosis Architecture Studio CA 10k - 25k sf Office NREL Research Support Facility CO over 100k sf Office X Rice Fergus Miller Office and Studio WA 25k - 50k sf Office X Rocky Mountain Institute Innovation Center CO 10k - 25k sf Office Sacred Heart Schools Stevens Family Library CA 5k - 10k sf Education X San Luis National Wildlife Refuge HQ and Visitor Center CA 10k - 25k sf Office UC San Diego J Craig Venter Institute CA 25k - 50k sf Other UniverCity Childcare Centre BC 5k - 10k sf Education VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitor Centre BC 10k - 25k sf Assembly X Watsonville Water Resources Center CA 10k - 25k sf Office Wayne Aspinall Courthouse and Federal Building CO 25k - 50k sf Courthouse X West Berkeley Public Library CA 5k - 10k sf Library X 21

22 Buildings & People: Buildings Buildings» Zero Net Energy buildings from NBI s North America Getting to Zero database» Mainly 10, ,000+ sqft Some smaller buildings represented» Mainly Offices & Higher Ed Also Courthouse, Lab, Library, Museum» Climate: CA has most ZNE buildings Also: Canada, PNW, NE, CO 22

23 Buildings & People: People People» Design Firm Interviewees have extensive experience In primary building types With ZNE buildings in general Average of four ZNE buildings each!» Designers set energy targets and keep tabs Maintain ongoing performance data tracking and feedback post-occupancy 23

24 Types of Controls One Primary Project Goal: Characterize Controls Technology & Strategies in ZNE Buildings» All participants ranked building control strategies very important or critical to ZNE success» > 90% of buildings use control systems integrated across some or all end-uses» Daylighting is critical to ZNE Get Glare Control & Shading right! Light switches are still most common» Most buildings use combination of manual & automatic controls» ¾ of buildings rely on occupant for some part of controls success» The highest-performing buildings have engaged operators and occupants standing on the shoulders of intelligent and integrated controls systems 24

25 Types of Controls: Controls Integration by End-Use 25

26 Types of Controls: Plug Loads Plug Loads can be 50% or more of total electricity usage in ZNE Buildings!» More devices and occupant-driven misc loads coming online» Regulated loads (Lights, HVAC, Water Heat ) becoming more efficient» Most (64%) buildings surveyed use plug load controls or monitoring 26

27 CONTROL DESIGN SELECTION PROCESS USER EXPERIENCE Mark Lyles, NBI Project Manager ENERGY FINDINGS

28 Controls Design Selection Process Designing a successful ZNE Building is a balancing act:» Rigid execution of design intent» Thorough documentation & specs» Detailed sequence of operations» Flexibility in implementation» Flexibility in operation 28

29 Controls Design Selection Process: Follow Up Despite the focus on performance and the qualification of the design and construction teams associated with these projects The #1 reason for excessive follow-up: Incorrect installation of controls systems in the field 29

30 User Experience: Operations Survey Summary» All agree: bring Operator into design process early Operator involved in all sequence development efforts Operator involved in commissioning process Improved operator buy-in Smoother startup of building systems Better understanding of design intent» Often, operators learn on the job (without formal training) Heavy reliance on Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Manual Heavy reliance on Commissioning Process and Report» Building Operator & Controls Vendor close relationship Frequent communication in Year 1» Controls Integrator Role» Maintaining Building Performance: Operator should write & use a System Support Manual or Procedure Manual» Most (5/6) say the value of investing in controls is increasing» Most (4/6) say passive features do not reduce scope of controls 30

31 User Experience: Occupant Survey Summary Occupants generally are satisfied with their ZNE building work spaces» Design teams & operators must balance automation vs. occupant interaction» 75% of occupants satisfied with daylighting but often want more glare control Occupant Interest in Interaction with Lighting and Shade Controls» Broad satisfaction with natural ventilation, DOAS» Heating systems are well regarded; desire for more control for cooling» Plug load controls are not problematic or obtrusive for most occupants 31

32 Energy Findings: Participant Buildings 32

33 Energy Findings: Setting Energy Targets Energy Targets are Key» 100% of design teams set an aggressive low-energy EUI target» 100% of design teams considered setting early energy targets as key to the design process & outcomes 33

34 Energy Findings: Whole Building Energy Aspects» Baseline: High-Performance/LEED» Energy modeling: More than one software package used equest remains #1, but this is shifting Radiant systems, natural ventilation modeled with IES/TAS» Keys to ZNE: Building Siting» Keys to ZNE: Envelope Design» Keys to ZNE: HVAC Systems Ground source heat pumps Advanced air source heat pumps Radiant heating & cooling distribution Variable refrigerant volume 34

35 Energy Findings: System Energy Aspects» Lighting Controls: Daylighting first, then other electric lighting controls.» HVAC Controls: Passive first: natural ventilation, night flush, thermal set point controls. Then, optimize mechanical system control and monitoring.» Glare Controls (Shading & Blinds): 33% got thermal savings => Reduced thermal loads & thus HVAC system needs.» Plug Load Controls: up to 50% of usage in some ZNE buildings. Designers are still experimenting with different control approaches. 35

36 10 KEY TAKE-AWAYS CONCLUSIONS Cathy Higgins, NBI Research Affiliate RECOMMENDATIONS

37 1-3) The Value of Controls» Are Controls Important to get to ZNE? Yes: 100%» Would you select the same controls again? Yes: 77%» Considering that passive design strategies and improving technology efficiencies are reducing building energy use, is the value of control systems increasing or decreasing? Increasing = 78% 37

38 4) Problems and Some Solutions» 82% of the designers agreed or strongly agreed that control communication platforms and protocols between systems need improvement» 87% of designers agreed that Controls always have some problems Problem: The principal issue with every ZNE building that I have studied carefully has been control systems, measurement and verification. Suggested Solution: It s a matter of writing a detailed sequence of operations, having a great relationship with your vendor and requiring accountability for integration. 38

39 5-8) Advice and Occupants» What would you do again & What advice would you offer to designers? 1. Integrate the controls contractor - not just the controls 2. Meter and monitor then track and share actual performance 3. Design the building right first 4. Design for Off 5. Select leading technologies and incorporate system controls for high performance 6. Simple is smart. Keep it simple Alternate point Make it work 7. Optimize settings and strategies Controls are a sub-trade of a sub-trade - they should be a first-tier (separate) contractor.» What would you do differently? Increase control contractor role and commissioning Ensure sufficient metering Consider system changes» Occupants how do you ensure they contribute to low-energy goals? Education and training Early involvement Feedback Engagement The Toughest Thing to Control is Occupants They Make (or Break) Energy Performance 39

40 9) Surprises» Collecting energy data is rare!» Systems were not interoperable» Contractor resistance and skills are an issue» ZNE goes well beyond the traditional commissioning (Cx) process» Occupants waste energy» Conflicts with complex sequences and system architecture and controls» Lack of accuracy in electrical sub-meters and difficulty in setting them up» Lack of correlation between actual and predicted performance» Staging of various outcomes, including the solar, is hard» Lack of granularity 40

41 10) Emerging Trends» Integrated and lower cost control systems Integration capabilities and networks with automated control system management are improving Cost of interconnectivity is decreasing Adaptive controls: occupant-based and weather responsive» Monitoring and feedback Building dashboards and simple monitoring systems Fault detection with early warning for energy use or equipment failures» Energy Model-based Control» Utility Demand Response» Other: Robotics DC building systems Energy storage Protocol standardization October 2015 cover of Building Operating Management Magazine 41

42 Conclusions» Controls are at the Nexus of Energy Performance Merge of market, policy and technology factors are driving zero net energy buildings Controls are critical/very important to ZNE outcomes yet controls always have problems Solutions lay in a) getting the process right early, b) maintaining ongoing Cx and c) stewardship of the control performance Controls / sensors are in the spotlight» New Roles and Old Relationships Controls contractor is a major player and should be involved early and after occupancy 86% of design teams chose their vendor based on prior experience existing relationships are gateways to resolve / improve issues New ZNE Cx Agents will have skills that cross cut efficiency, renewables and controls Increased importance and skills needed in building operators 42

43 Conclusions» ZNE is driven by good design, High Performance Systems and Shading Passive and integrated approaches first Existing, but leading edge, systems and technologies Exterior and interior shading to reduce initial loads Interior shading is a growing area of technology evolution and automation with over 50% of the buildings including interior shading» Occupants are a new Operator 74% of these buildings rely on the occupant for part of controls success Occupants desire some degree of thermal and lighting control Occupant control can enhance or disable design intent of controls Occupants are the best sensors so feedback from and to them is key Addressing plug load use is critical 43

44 Conclusions: Game Changers Game Changers: Industry Implications: 1. Integration and low cost sensors I o T 2. Feedback / dashboard systems to occupants and operators energy is gaining transparency 3. Utility programs and pricing a new model of two-way transactions and load shifts driven by renewables and ZNE 1. Large new market for new products 2. Complexity and communications issues hinder adoption and outcomes 3. ZNE buildings will remain grid connected and districts and aggregation of bldgs. will increase 4. Getting to zero is both a market and a policy trend 44

45 Five Recommendations 1. Prioritize Passive Strategies then layer in controls to optimize the whole building outcomes 2. Integrate the Controls Contractor controls contractor needs to be a primary team member from design through occupancy 3. Increase Operator Training and Support bring controls training and improved hand-off documentation to operators and ongoing access to the design team and controls contractor 4. Provide Occupants Control but Backup with Defaults Settings occupants want some engagement and control access but a hybrid system that returns controls to default settings and Off is necessary 5. Build Industry Awareness and Knowledge of Emerging Trends of a) integrated, wireless and adaptive controls, b) feedback and dashboards, c) DC systems and renewable integration, d) utility load management, price and program issues, and e) ZNE policy drivers 45 ZNE

46 Discussion 1. Embargo Period Motion 2. Final Report Changes today 3. Individual Organization Follow-up Calls by November ZNE

47 Rice Fergus Miller ZNE Retrofit Questions and Answers

48 Contact Us Continental Automated Buildings Association (CABA) 1173 Cyrville Road, Suite 210 Ottawa, ON K1J 7S6 Toll free: CABA (2222) New Buildings Institute (NBI)