Structure dependent weather normalization

Abstract

AbstractIn this paper, we introduce a new analytical method to normalize and forecast the energy usage/loss of residential and commercial buildings. Weather conditions have large effects on energy and economic activity. Weather Normalization is an important step in building energy rating and retrofit measurements. It has also become increasingly important because of changes in the worlds weather patterns due to global warming. Accounting for the impacts of weather on energy use in buildings is an extremely exhaustive challenge because of the complexity and diversity in the operation of the mechanical and electrical systems. In traditional weather normalization methods some building parameters, such as building size, window size, construction joints, and the effect of flues, are missing. We present a Structure Dependent Energy Usage/Loss (SDE U/L) linear and nonlinear models by using Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) to capture and forecast the behavior of energy consumption/loss. This model considers different building and weather parameters. Using the (SDE U/L) model, we present an innovative approach for linear and nonlinear weather normalization. Our simulation results demonstrate the flexibility and advantages of our structure dependent weather normalization method. Unlike most existing methods, the (SDE U/L) method does not impose any constraints on a property on its property type, use details, and energy data to be able to perform weather normalization for any building over time.