scholarly journals Energy Savings Results from Small Commercial Building Retrofits in the US

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (19) ◽  
pp. 6207
Author(s):  
Rachael Sherman ◽  
Hariharan Naganathan ◽  
Kristen Parrish
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
System Approach ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Commercial Buildings ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Single System ◽  
Commercial Building ◽  
Decision Criteria ◽  
Economic Market ◽  
Efficiency Measures

Small commercial buildings, or those comprising less than 50,000 square feet of floor area, represent 94% of U.S commercial buildings by count and consume approximately 8% of the nation’s primary energy; as such, they represent a largely unexploited opportunity for energy savings. Small commercial buildings also represent a large economic market—the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) estimated the small commercial retrofit market at USD 35.6 billion. Despite the prominence of small commercial buildings and the economic opportunity for energy retrofits, many energy efficiency programs focus on large commercial buildings, and create efficiency solutions that do not meet the needs of the small commercial market. This paper presents an analysis of 34 small commercial case study projects that implemented energy efficiency retrofits. This paper contributes to the existing building retrofit body of knowledge in the following ways: (1) it identifies the decision criteria used by small commercial building stakeholders that decided to complete an energy retrofit; (2) it identifies the most commonly implemented efficiency measures in small commercial buildings, and discusses why this is the case; and (3) it provides empirical evidence about the efficacy of installing single energy efficiency measures (EEMs) compared to packages of EEMs in small commercial buildings by reporting verified energy savings. To the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first to catalog decision criteria and energy savings for the existing small commercial buildings market, and this research illustrates that small commercial building decision-makers seem most motivated to retrofit their spaces by energy cost savings and operational concerns. Furthermore, small commercial building decision-makers opted to implement single-system retrofits in fifteen (15) of the thirty-four cases studied. Finally, this research documents the improved savings, in the small commercial buildings market, associated with a more integrated package of EEMs compared to a single-system approach, achieving approximately 10% energy savings for a single-system approach and more than 20% energy savings for integrated approaches. These savings translate to CO2 savings of 1,324,000 kgCO2/year to 2,647,000 kgCO2/year, respectively, assuming small commercial buildings are retrofit at a rate of 0.95% of the stock annually.

E|Melt: Simulation-Driven Analysis of Energy Efficiency Measures inside Non-Ferrous Melting and Die-Casting Plants

2018 ◽  
Vol 882 ◽  
pp. 182-189
Author(s):  
Andreas Buswell ◽  
Wolfgang Schlüter
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Material Flow ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Die Casting ◽  
Energy Simulation ◽  
Simulation Environment ◽  
Efficiency Measures ◽  
Reference Plants ◽  
Increase Productivity ◽  
Two Measures

This paper describes the necessary measures to create an adaptable material flow and energy simulation for melting and die-casting plants. Based on two reference plants, the structural and intralogistical differences are emphasized and examined. These differences specify the necessary extensions to a previously created simulation environment in order to be able to analyze variable plant configurations. Special emphasis is put on the creation of a simplified energy model that allows the modeling of melting furnaces based on rudimentary datasets. Using the adaptable material flow and energy simulation two measures and their effects on the in-plant energy efficiency as well as productivity are analyzed. The simulation results suggest energy savings potentials for both plants and measures to increase productivity for one of the analyzed plants.

Identifying Energy Efficiency Potentials by Applying Flexible Measuring Systems

2014 ◽  
Vol 655 ◽  
pp. 47-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moritz Hamacher ◽  
Johannes Boehner ◽  
Arnim Reger
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
Measuring System ◽  
Use Case ◽  
Measuring Systems ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Efficiency Measures ◽  
Sensor Signals ◽  
Detailed Level

This paper presents a flexible measuring system to identify energy efficiency potentials in the context of the ISO 50001 standard. On the basis of five essential requirements the flexible measuring system was structured into 4 modules which can be separately extended or modified. As the flexibility was in focus of the development this system it is able to measure the energy consumption on a very detailed level of the components of a machine. In addition it can also acquire measurement data of different other sensor signals like temperatures, flow rates etc. To evaluate the usability of the system in order to identify energy efficiency measures a use case was conducted. Results of the measurement data as well as possible energy savings of the investigated machinery are discussed at the end of this paper.

scholarly journals Energy management of commercial buildings – A case study from a POET perspective of energy efficiency

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaohua Xia ◽  
Jiangfeng Zhang ◽  
William Cass
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Management ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Financial Service ◽  
Commercial Buildings ◽  
Commercial Building ◽  
Group Company ◽  
Energy Efficiency Improvement ◽  
Award Winning

This paper aims at analyzing the energy management activities for commercial buildings of a financial service company in South Africa by energy efficiency in terms of performance, operation, equipment and technology (POET). The sustainability of a general energy management program is discussed within this POET framework. As an application of this discussion to the commercial building scenario, the award winning energy management program of this financial service group company is featured from the POET perspective of energy efficiency. The case study shows that the POET based framework can not only cover all major energy management activities, but also identify further energy efficiency improvement opportunities.

Sustainable Preservation of Historic Buildings

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Edīte Biseniece
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Dynamic Simulation ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
In Situ Measurements ◽  
Simulation Program ◽  
Historic Buildings ◽  
Energy Efficiency Measures ◽  
Efficiency Measures

Legal requirements as well as life quality requirements demand to increase energy efficiency of existing buildings, that has been seen to represent a huge potential in energy savings, based on the size of the segment and the individual potential. The biggest challenges during the renovation of buildings occur when it comes to historic buildings where the facade cannot be modified to maintain its unique architectural appearance and integrity. Policy makers and building owners are facing “building energy efficiency versus heritage value” dilemma when on the one hand it is important to preserve a building’s architectural value and on the other hand, energy consumption should be reduced significantly. Internal insulation is one of the energy efficiency measures that can be applied. However, this is one of the most challenging and complex energy efficiency measures due to changes in boundary conditions and hygrothermal behaviour of walls, especially for buildings in cold climate Applying of interior insulation significantly modifies the hygrothermal performance of walls and, as a consequence, may induce a risk on interstitial condensation, frost damage, mould growth and other damage patterns. The behaviour of internally insulated wall strongly depends on the properties of the used materials. There is a need to develop new methods and guidelines for decision makers on how to implement energy efficiency measures in historic buildings. The aim of this Thesis is to offer safe and effective solutions for internal insulation systems of historic masonry buildings. To achieve this goal, the following tasks have been set: to perform historic construction material testing and analyse the test wall in a laboratory environment to determine the factors influencing the accumulation of moisture and the risks associated with it; to predict hygrothermal conditions of internally insulated masonry building using dynamic simulation program and to validate said models based on long term in-situ measurements in internally insulated case buildings; to estimate potential energy savings using dynamic simulation program. Several methods are combined within the research, including regression analysis, sensitivity analysis and heat and moisture transfer simulation validated by long-term in situ measurements.

Energy Efficiency Measures for a High-Tech Building with a Solar Roof

2014 ◽  
Vol 1073-1076 ◽  
pp. 1233-1238
Author(s):  
Yao Lin Lin ◽  
Wei Yang ◽  
Ming Sheng Liu
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Electricity Consumption ◽  
Electricity Demand ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
Electrical Grid ◽  
Energy Efficiency Measures ◽  
Efficiency Measures ◽  
Demand Reduction

This paper presents the implementation of energy efficiency measures in a building that consists of office, lab and clean room area. Total Performance Oriented Optimization and Retrofits (TPORs) were implemented. 594 kW solar panels were installed on the roof and connected to the electrical grid during the optimization process. Ten power meters were installed throughout the building to measure the total building electricity demand, solar generated electricity demand, HVAC and non-HVAC-equipment demand to quantify the energy savings from the implementation of the energy efficiency measures and savings from the solar panels. The electricity savings from optimization on the HVAC system is about 7,209,000kWh/year (194.4kWh/m2-year), which is about 30% of the total building electricity consumption with peak demand reduction of 935 kW. There savings come from the solar panel is 811,925 kWh/yr; however, it effectively reduced the peak electricity demand by 302.6 kW.

scholarly journals Fighting Energy Poverty Using User-Driven Approaches in Mountainous Greece: Lessons Learnt from a Living Lab

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1525
Author(s):  
Lefkothea Papada ◽  
Anastasios Balaskas ◽  
Nikolas Katsoulakos ◽  
Dimitris Kaliampakos ◽  
Dimitris Damigos
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Monitoring Equipment ◽  
Energy Poverty ◽  
Local Society ◽  
Mountainous Regions ◽  
Monitoring Tools ◽  
Efficiency Measures ◽  
Living Lab ◽  
Questionnaire Surveys

The experience of operating an energy-related Living Lab (LL) in mountainous Greece is presented in this paper in an attempt to explore the dynamics of such initiatives to address energy vulnerability. The LL is situated in Metsovo, which is a typical mountainous town of Greece with increased vulnerability issues identified in previous studies. Since Greek mountainous societies have proved to be particularly exposed to energy poverty, the LL aimed to function as an exemplary case on how to tackle energy poverty issues in mountainous regions, mainly through reducing energy consumption and improving energy efficiency. The methodological context was based on a holistic LL approach consisting of various activities, such as conduction of energy cafés, questionnaire surveys, home visits from Energy Advisors, installation of monitoring equipment, ICT tools and processing, etc. In particular, the LL consisted of three independent rounds, each of which involved 50 households, with 30 of them being equipped with monitoring tools. Energy advisors repeatedly visited households to collect information (on heating expenses, behavioral aspects, etc.) and offer household-specific advice on potential energy savings measures. Overall, the LL operation proved to have benefited most participants (76%), especially households with monitoring equipment, as 85.5% of the last ones already applied energy-efficiency measures and 80% made further plans for future investments. Through the particular LL example, apart from the benefits delivered to the local society, useful information can be provided to policy-makers toward addressing more effectively energy vulnerability in mountainous societies.

scholarly journals Systematic approach for improving energy efficiency in industrial facilities, from energy audit to practical implementation – case study production of autoclaved aerated concrete

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 ◽  
pp. 00083
Author(s):  
Boris Sucic ◽  
Marko Peckaj ◽  
Zeljko Tomsic ◽  
Jani Uranic
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Systematic Approach ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Industrial Facilities ◽  
Industrial Environment ◽  
Energy Efficiency Measures ◽  
Industrial Companies ◽  
Efficiency Measures ◽  
Energy Auditing

In today’s globalized world, need for competitiveness on one side and constant pressure on the reduction of negative environmental impacts on the other side, are forcing industrial companies to systematically analyse all possibilities for the optimization of their production processes. This paper presents a systematic approach for improving energy efficiency in industrial facilities. Special attention was given to activities that were necessary for the proper identification of energy saving potential and implementation of selected energy efficiency measures in the complex industrial environment. The proposed approach includes four main activities: (1) energy auditing, identification and valorisation of opportunities for improving energy efficiency, (2) identification of key personnel who needs to be trained and motivated to become involved and to make energy efficient decisions in practice, (3) implementation of selected energy efficiency measures and (4) continuous monitoring and verification of achieved results. The proposed approach has been tested in the real industrial environment and the results are confirming that significant energy savings and overall improvement of competitiveness can be reached. Additionally, special emphasis was placed on soft elements like cooperation between energy experts, process operators and maintenance staff that are crucial for the overall success.

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