Closing the gap between predicted and actual energy savings
Our built environment is responsible for more than 40 % of the EU’s energy and CO2 emissions. Therefore, the European Commission has drawn up a clear 2020 target to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions by 20 %, while increasing renewable energy generation by 20 %. However, monitoring of actual energy performance consistently shows significant discrepancies between energy design targets and real consumption once a building is occupied. ‘Building performance is a major barrier to achieving EU targets for a sustainable future,’ explains James Sharman, coordinator for the PERFORMER project. ‘We addressed this challenge by designing and implementing a software and hardware solution to improve energy management in buildings with the aim of reducing the ‘performance gap’ typically experienced by buildings. This is when the actual energy consumption of a building in use differs from the energy consumption expected during the design phase. The PERFORMER solution is part product, part service and enables customers to assess, monitor and ensure optimal energy management towards the guarantee of building energy performance.’ Testing performance across Europe Performance of the various components was tested in a range of building types at four pilot sites in Spain, France, Poland and the United Kingdom (Wales). This enabled the energy and environmental benefits of the new methodology and technologies to be assessed under varying climatic conditions across Europe. ‘Identification of energy saving opportunities in the pilot buildings offered the possibility to close the performance gap, thus reducing energy consumption and associated CO2 emissions,’ says Sharman. Project partners created a cloud-based platform for storing and analysing data including a visualisation dashboard for users to interrogate the information. This is complemented by an optional hardware component – the PERFORMER Box – that enables new sensors and meters to be deployed in a building entirely separately from any existing monitoring or BEMS systems while providing a link to the software platform services. ‘The PERFORMER tools and methodologies will save customers time and money by identifying cost-optimal solutions that best suit their needs,’ claims Sharman. He adds: ‘It will also support designers of sensors, meters and building environmental management systems, as well as installers and consultants through easier access to data for design, purchasing and implementation activities.’ Going beyond traditional technology However, the project goes beyond simple data visualisation by using prediction algorithms and fault reporting to help users target ongoing opportunities for effective improvements. ‘This is a major improvement over traditional energy visualisation technology, making the level of deviation from predictions apparent,’ concludes Sharman. ‘These functions will help users move beyond overall savings in the range of 5 % from improved awareness of energy use, to more substantial savings through the identification of numerous ongoing energy management and commissioning opportunities.’ PERFORMER’s tools and solutions will help building owners and managers to optimise their assets, while also helping energy consultants and energy service providers to assist their own clients with energy management opportunities. The solution will be applicable to any building with an existing building environmental management system that warrants some degree of sub-metering to differentiate between energy uses by zone or service. Therefore, although it is not likely to be suitable at the level of an individual dwelling, or buildings without a number of zones and services, the majority of commercial, public, leisure and centrally managed multi-residential buildings can all benefit from the use of PERFORMER technologies.
Keywords
PERFORMER, energy, building, energy management, energy performance, monitoring, metering