A novel reduced order model technology framework to support the estimation of the energy savings in building retrofits

Alessandro Piccinini,Magdalena Hajdukiewicz,Marcus M Keane

doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2021.110896

Abstract

Energy Performance Contracting (EPC), as a tool to enhance energy efficiency of buildings, can accelerate investment in cost-effective energy conservation measures (ECMs) for existing buildings. However, there are many risks and barriers that can slow down the uptake of EPC, such as the complexity of the process or uncertainty of building performance post-retrofit. The International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP®), which was originally developed to help increase investment in energy and water efficiency, demand management and renewable energy projects, has the potential to reduce some of the EPC barriers. However, due to limited and uncertain information about existing buildings, the application of this Measurement and Verification (M&V) protocol in retrofitting projects is often complex and requires novel use of building simulation tools.In order to address the challenges of utilising M&V IPMVP® in building retrofitting projects, and to enhance the uptake of EPC, the research presented here developed a novel Reduced Order Model (ROM) technology framework that can be used for (i) systematic quantification of energy savings (avoided energy consumption) achieved through ECMs, and (ii) direct estimation of energy savings through the investigation of different envelope retrofit scenarios. The framework was demonstrated on pilot buildings in Sant Cugat, Spain.

Highlights

IntroductionOne of the potential measures to target this objective and to enhance the energy efficiency of buildings is Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) [2]
In the last decade, the European Union (EU) has developed policies aimed at accelerating the cost-effective retrofitting of existing buildings, with the vision of a decarbonised building stock by 2050 [14].One of the potential measures to target this objective and to enhance the energy efficiency of buildings is Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) [2]
This paper presents a ROM to be used in the IPMVPÒ and a newly developed parameter calculation tool (ROMPar) that deals with correct estimation of model inputs

Summary

Introduction

One of the potential measures to target this objective and to enhance the energy efficiency of buildings is Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) [2]. There are different risks and barriers opposing the uptake of EPC, such as process complexity, lack of information, uncertainty about post-retrofit energy performance, access to. Measurement and Verification (M&V) protocol can reduce some uncertainties of EPC. Guidelines regarding the M&V protocol are provided by the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVPÒ) [9]. This protocol defines a standard approach to estimate the potential and actual energy savings and can be used to quantify the payments to all stakeholders throughout the EPC process. One of the main recommendations of the IPMVPÒ guidelines is that the M&V costs do not exceed 10% of the average annual savings achieved through its application

Methods

Results

Conclusion