Abstract
It is easy to measure energy consumption with a power meter. However, energy savings cannot be directly computed by the powers measured using existing power meter technologies, since the power consumption only reflects parts of the real energy flows. The International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP) was proposed by the Efficiency Valuation Organization (EVO) to quantify energy savings using four different methodologies of A, B, C and D. Although energy savings can be estimated following the IPMVP, there are limitations on its practical implementation. Moreover, the data processing methods of the four IPMVP alternatives use multiple sensors (thermometer, hygrometer, Occupant information) and power meter readings to simulate all facilities, in order to determine an energy usage benchmark and the energy savings. This study proposes a simple sensor platform to measure energy savings. Using usually the Electronic Product Code (EPC) global standard, an architecture framework for an information system is constructed that integrates sensors data, power meter readings and occupancy conditions. The proposed sensor platform is used to monitor a building with a newly built vertical garden system (VGS). A VGS shields solar radiation and saves on energy that would be expended on air-conditioning. With this platform, the amount of energy saved in the whole facility is measured and reported in real-time. The data are compared with those obtained from detailed measurement and verification (M&V) processes. The discrepancy is less than 1.565%. Using measurements from the proposed sensor platform, the energy savings for the entire facility are quantified, with a resolution of ±1.2%. The VGS gives an 8.483% daily electricity saving for the building. Thus, the results show that the simple sensor platform proposed by this study is more widely applicable than the four complicated IPMVP alternatives and the VGS is an effective tool in reducing the carbon footprint of a building.
Highlights
During the past two decades, primary energy consumption has grown by 49% and CO2 emissions by43%, with an average annual increase of 2% and 1.8%, respectively
Engineering cannot provide all of the solutions; cultural and behavioral change that alters the demand for energy services is necessary in order to meet the stringent targets for climate change mitigation [1]
The amount of energy savings detectable using option C is limited to 10%, so if the energy saved is less than 10%, it is not noted
Summary
During the past two decades, primary energy consumption has grown by 49% and CO2 emissions by. Wireless sensor networks consume a limited amount of energy in collecting data, performing calculations and routing the received data, so in most applications, each sensor node is expected to last for a long time [11]. Published research has demonstrated effective ways of cutting energy use, through the development of new technology If this strategy is successful, a reduction in the growth in energy consumption, as discussed in previously, can be achieved. Option D uses simulations of equipment or facilities, when base year or post-retrofit data are unreliable or unavailable [13] These four options of A, B, C and D are recommended by the IPMVP to measure saved energy. Option C gives reliable evidence to show energy savings It is a widely employed method, since it provides a maximum measurement boundary. Option A and B only focus on equipment; option C and D consider the entire facility or building, but option C lacks accuracy
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