The concept of Measurement and Verification (M&V) of a new building continues to become more important because efficient design alone is often not sufficient to deliver an efficient building. Simulation models that are calibrated to measured data can be used to evaluate the energy performance of new buildings if they are compared to energy baselines such as similar buildings, energy codes, and design standards. Unfortunately, there is a lack of detailed M&V methods and analysis methods to measure energy savings from new buildings that would have hypothetical energy baselines. Therefore, this study developed and demonstrated several new methodologies for evaluating the energy performance of new commercial buildings using a case-study building in Austin, Texas. First, three new M&V methods were developed to enhance the previous generic M&V framework for new buildings, including: 1) The development of a method to synthesize weathernormalized cooling energy use from a correlation of Motor Control Center (MCC) electricity use when chilled water use is unavailable, 2) The development of an improved method to analyze measured solar transmittance against incidence angle for sample glazing using different solar sensor types, including Eppley PSP and Li-Cor sensors, and 3) The development of an improved method to analyze chiller efficiency and operation at part-load conditions. Second, three new calibration methods were developed and analyzed, including: 1) A new percentile analysis added to the previous signature method for use with a DOE-2 calibration, 2) A new analysis to account for undocumented exhaust air in DOE-2 calibration, and 3) An analysis of the impact of synthesized direct normal solar radiation using the Erbs correlation on DOE-2 simulation. Third, an analysis of the actual energy savings compared to three different energy baselines was performed, including: 1) Energy Use Index (EUI) comparisons with sub-metered data, 2) New comparisons against Standards 90.1-1989 and 90.1-2001, and 3) A new evaluation of the performance of selected Energy Conservation Design Measures (ECDMs). Finally, potential energy savings were also simulated from selected improvements, including: minimum supply air flow, undocumented exhaust air, and daylighting.

This thesis presents a methodology developed to aid in the determination of potential sources and the potential scale of energy savings in commercial buildings. As a pre-screening tool, the methodology is designed to serve as the first analysis of the building’s potential for energy savings using limited data prior to a site visit. A Microsoft® Excel-based tool was developed to perform this analysis semi-automatically with user operation. A fundamental concept used in this methodology is that of the energy balance load, defined as heating plus electricity minus cooling. The methodology is designed to require only historical weather data, historical whole-building energy consumption data, the total conditioned floor area, and the basic function of the building. Upon following a short procedure developed and outlined in this thesis, this limited data yields information that can lead to conclusions about the building’s energy consumption. The output information includes estimates of a major building thermal parameter—the building’s overall heat transfer coefficient including the total outside air flow rate into the building. In addition to providing this information, the Excel tool includes already-formatted plots of the energy consumption commonly used in energy analysis. These include cooling, heating, and electricity vs. both outside air temperature and time. Three case studies illustrate the utility of this methodology. The calculated energy balance load—calculated using parameters determined through this methodology—yielded values on average within 5.4% of measured values.

This thesis introduces a quasi-dynamic building simulation methodology which complements existing building simulators by allowing transient models of HVAC (heating, ventilating and air-conditioning) systems to be created in an analogous way to their design and simulated in a computationally efficient manner. The methodology represents a system as interconnected, object-oriented sub-models known as components. Fluids and their local properties are modeled using discrete, incompressible objects known as packets. System wide pressure and flow rates are modeled similar to electrical circuit models. Transferring packets between components emulates fluid flow, while the system wide fluid circuit formed by the components' interconnections determines system wide pressures and flow rates. A tool named PAQS, after the PAacketized Quasi-dynamic Simulation methodology, was built to demonstrate the described methodology. Validation tests of PAQS found that its steady state energy use predictions differed less than 3% from a comparable steady state model. PAQS was also able to correctly model the transient behavior of a dynamic linear analytical system.

This thesis examines ways to reduce energy consumption in university buildings. Occupancy based controls and other advanced building technologies being studied at the Intelligent Workplace (IW) at Carnegie Melon University were examined to see if they could be applied in at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU). Additionally, a sustainability assessment for the current TAMIU campus was performed with an analysis of the potential for TAMIU to obtain LEED certification from the US Green Building Council. First, occupancy-based controls that would shut off lighting, utilize power management features on computer equipment, and reduce airflow when a space is unoccupied were examined. An estimated annual savings of $525 could be obtained in the test office at Texas A&M by implementing these controls. If same controls were applied to the proposed green building at TAMIU, approximately $203,422 could be saved annually. Secondly, advanced building technologies used at the IW were examined to see if they are feasible in the new green building at TAMIU. Biodiesel cogeneration was found to be economically infeasible as a main power supply using the loads calculated for the building. A feasibility calculation for a radiant heating and cooling system with ventilation was performed and it was estimated that using one of these systems could have potential at TAMIU if the building envelope is designed correctly. Displacement ventilation could be implemented for research purposes in the test bed, but should not be implemented on a broader basis until more is known about the performance of these systems in hot and humid climates. Daylighting should be used in the new building whenever its implementation will not significantly increase solar loads. Thirdly, a sustainability assessment of the current TAMIU campus was performed. Several good practices and areas for improvement were identified in nine sustainability-related areas. The current TAMIU campus was examined to see what scope of work would be required to achieve LEED certification from the US Green Building Council. It was found that 39 credits, which is enough to achieve LEED certification, are either achievable as-is, achievable with a policy change, or achievable with a minor retrofit scope.

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Thesis (M.A.)--University of Alberta, 2010. / Title from pdf file main screen (viewed on Feb. 1, 2010). " A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in English Department of English and Film Studies."

Thesis (M.S.H.P.)--Ball State University, 2009. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on Dec. 14, 2009). Includes bibliographical references (p. [83]-89).