Background Source: Cisco Typical Building Lifecycle (Cisco, 2005) –More than 75% of Expenses occur in the Operating Period –But most of the time and focus are in the development period Building energy systems do not operate as developed –15~30% of energy is wasted (Katipamula and Brambley, 2005) –Up to 70% of the service costs can be saved (Li and Braun, 2007) Smart Bldg solutions: Automated monitoring, diagnostics and optimization – Wireless sensor network based monitoring is one of the enablers

Example Technology: Cascade VAV Optimal Control Strategy Using WSN and AFDD Duct work Fan Terminal boxes: 1, 2,…i,…n VFD Controller Static Pressure Controller - + DP/Load analyzer Damper position of the critical zone Wireless Sensor Network - + Automated Fault Diag. Optimal VAV control strategy is to maintain the damper associated with the critical zone fully open –Primary control loop: Reset the static pressure set point (SPSP) –Secondary control loop: Modulate fan speed to meet the SPSP –WSN: obtain all damper positions -- AFDD: Diagnosis on system functionality –DP/Load analyzer: Identify the critical zone

Preliminary Results The optimal VAV control strategy (damper position rest) using WSN can save more energy than the other two existing methods while ensuring comfort Comfort can not be met from 8~10 due to deficiency of supply air if either airflow rate reset or OA temperature reset method is used

Testing Bed Development

CEEN WSN Lab AE Intelligent Bldg. Syst. Lab Establishment of the UNL Smart Building Center NCERS Yr1:$62,946 Yr2:$65,254 Sensus M.I. Yr1: $56,640 Yr2: $60,000 Indus Sponsors Target: $128,517 $upport Technol Transfer $upport Underground: $10k