In many US homes, 15% of the energy that can be saved is hidden beneath complex mathematical calculations. Hidden energy savings can be revealed by converting mathematical calculations to data visualizations, creating a story for residents to see how they are consuming energy. Cloud-based data visualization platforms offer the ability to appropriately communicate complex building energy data to a broad set of stakeholders. Unfortunately, proprietary solutions are too expensive and open-source options lack standardization for cloud-based energy monitoring. This study aims to create a comprehensive energy dashboard display to increase residents' energy awareness of how energy is consumed throughout their homes. But before energy dashboards can be created, a content analysis of current visualization chart types used on utility bills and energy monitoring devices were discovered to see how energy data has been visualized in the energy domain. Next, a literature review was conducted to reveal other visualization chart types outside of the energy domain that could be used to visualize energy data. The content analysis results identified eight visualization chart types that are used on utility bills and energy monitoring devices. In addition, the literature review uncovered eight additional visualization chart types that have the functionality to visualize energy data. Next, the visualization chart types were combined with data modeling design techniques to create prototype energy dashboard displays to communicate energy insights to residents. Soon utility companies will begin to provide data visualizations for the majority of their customers. The insights from this study can help to inform and lead the development of commercially used data visualizations. In addition, this research can provide utility companies with a blueprint on how to share energy consumption data with customers. / Master of Science / For residents to live an energy-efficient lifestyle, they must first begin by learning about one's energy consumption behaviors in the home. Unfortunately, utility bills miss out on communicating energy insights to customers based on how the energy data appears on the utility bill. Graphs on utility bills that display aggregate monthly energy consumption do not provide enough information for residents to comprehend how energy is consumed through their homes or provide information on how to lower energy consumption. There are commercial energy consumption devices on the market such as CURB and eGauge that provide an energy dashboard display, but the visuals are too complex to draw conclusions. This study aims to create an energy dashboard display that allows residents to see how energy is consumed throughout their homes. But before energy dashboards can be created, a content analysis of current visualization chart types used on utility bills and energy monitoring devices were discovered to see how energy data has been visualized in the energy domain. Next, a literature review was conducted to reveal other visualization chart types outside of the energy domain that could be used to visualize energy data. The content analysis results identified eight chart types used of utility bills and energy monitoring devices. In addition, the literature review results uncovered eight additional chart types not used on utility bills and energy monitoring devices that have the potential to visualize energy data. Next, the identified and uncovered chart types were combined with data modeling design techniques to create example energy dashboard displays. Changing the way energy data is displayed to residents, can educate residents on how energy is consumed throughout their home. In addition, the insights from this study can provide utility companies with a model for displaying energy data to increase their customers' energy awareness. Living an energy-efficient lifestyle, first began by understanding how energy is consumed throughout one's home.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/114060 |
| Date | 14 September 2021 |
| Creators | James, Joseph Andrew |
| Contributors | Civil and Environmental Engineering, Paige, Frederick Eugene, Nottingham, Quinton J., Jazizadeh Karimi, Farrokh |
| Publisher | Virginia Tech |
| Source Sets | Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertation |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | ETD, application/pdf |
| Rights | In Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
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