Energy Efficiency and Demand Response
Poor operation and maintenance (O&M) of buildings can result in 10 to 30 percent excess energy use. PNNL works with building owners and operators to develop and implement strategies for retrofitting building equipment and improving O&M practices, resulting in increased energy efficiency, lower energy costs, longer equipment life, reduced equipment downtime, and enhanced occupant satisfaction.
Understanding current building operating conditions is the first step in reducing energy consumption. PNNL uses state-of-the-art metering technologies to measure parameters such as temperature, pressure flow, illumination and power to determine operational issues and quantify energy savings potential in a building. PNNL engineers have developed a wireless system for electricity end-use metering that enables near real-time measurement, tracking and reporting. Metering results can be sent from the metered building to a control center without installing expensive wiring.
Tools such as PNNL's Facility Energy Decision System (FEDS) software can be used to identify retrofits, determine life-cycle costs and paybacks, and prioritize options. FEDS has been used to identify tens of millions of dollars of cost effective retrofits, particularly for the U.S. Army.
PNNL also develops sophisticated tools to help building operators diagnose and address equipment malfunctions. For example, PNNL developed the Whole-Building Energy Diagnostician tool—a tool that provides the ability to monitor energy consumption of a facility and its major energy end uses, identify degradation in energy efficiency automatically and correct potential causes of increased consumption. The technology has been licensed to NorthWrite, which is making the web-based version of the application available commercially under the name Energy Expert (PDF 1.5MB). View Video. This technology recently won a Federal Lab Consortium Award.
Similarly, Decision Support for Operations and Maintenance (DSOM), a diagnostic software program developed by PNNL, significantly increases productivity and efficiency of central plant systems by monitoring performance of system components. The DSOM application at the U.S. Marine Corps base in Twentynine Palms, Calif., has provided significant annual benefits, including natural gas fuel savings of approximately 17 percent; maintenance cost savings between $100,000 and $150,000; a reduction of more than 3,000 tons of greenhouse gases; and a 24 percent reduction in annual labor and materials costs related to O&M.
Training is a key element of PNNL's approach to improving O&M. PNNL has worked with the state of Washington to improve operation of HVAC systems by training businesses that install and service HVAC equipment to offer a new service: retuning ineffective energy management and control systems in large commercial buildings. This service reduces energy use of HVAC systems by up to 20 percent. The retuning of more than fifty buildings and the continued efforts of these HVAC businesses will result in significant savings for years to come. In addition, PNNL's Rooftop Diagnostician is being installed on 150 rooftop units in Washington state.
Through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Federal Energy Management Program, PNNL wrote best practices guides for both O&M (PDF 2.2MB) and metering (PDF 2.5MB). These guides, and the related training provided by PNNL, are helping reduce energy use throughout the federal government.
To support the implementation of peak demand reduction strategies and improve reliability of the electric grid, PNNL researchers developed the Grid-Friendly™ Appliance Controller, which senses the conditions of the grid by monitoring the frequency and voltage of the system and then provides automatic demand response by very briefly shutting down the appliance during disturbances. This patented device won a Federal Laboratory Consortium award in 2007. A recent demonstration in 150 homes for clothes dryers and water heaters showed that Grid Friendly™ appliances are a technically feasible way to manage grid contingencies and prevent power outages. Consumers reported they were not inconvenienced, and 75 percent indicated they would definitely or probably be willing to purchase Grid Friendly™ appliances. More info... http://gridwise.pnl.gov/.