Sensors & Electronics
Electronics & Systems
System Monitoring & Diagnostics in Buildings (337)
Problem: Need to provide cost-effective, high level of building system performance with limited number of staff
Project Activity Scope (from Technical Overview Chart): Circuits and Devices through Integrated Systems
PNNL Solution:
- Leverage knowledge of building energy system architecture, equipment and operating systems
- Develop wireless sensors for key applications
- Develop electronic interface between wireless sensors and building control system equipment
- Develop software to support system monitoring, diagnostics and controls
- Conduct practical deployments and demonstrations
Capabilities Employed to Meet Client Needs:
- Understand primary energy systems in buildings (e.g., boilers, chillers, fans, packaged HVAC system, and lighting) and secondary systems (e.g., air, water, steam distribution systems).
- Broad knowledge of specifying, selecting, installing, and configuring sensor and control devices as well as understanding communications technologies (wired and wireless) and communication standards commonly used in the building automation industry.
- Designed, developed, and deployed novel diagnostics software for specific equipment-specific diagnostics (e.g., air-handling units, economizer systems) as well as whole-buildings diagnostics software. The deployment of the diagnostic technology required intimate understanding of communication protocols for interfacing the diagnostics with existing legacy energy management and controls systems.
Selected Links to Related Information:
- Related Examples (Same Project)
- Building System Diagnostics & Prognostics (335)
- Integrated Building Control Systems (336)
- Sensor Network/Building Controls Integration (341)
- Whole Building Diagnostician (343)
- Whole Building Diagnostician Deployment (344)
- Wireless Monitoring for HVAC Systems (342)
- Wireless Power Meter (340)
- Wireless Sensors for Building Applications (338)
- Wireless Sensor Prototype Development (339)
- Rich-Sensing Environment Building Controls (345)
- Similar Technology Examples (Energy Plant Applications)
- Control Operations to Extend Service Life (240)
- Customized Tools to Improve O&M (42)
- Documented Savings & Reliability Benefits (199)
- Equipment Monitors for Power Plant O&M (243)
- Facility Improvement Opportunities (43)
- Facility Operation Characterization (44)
- Intelligent Automated Equipment Diagnostics (117)
- Power Plant O&M Improvements (229)
- Related Websites
- Related Information
- Pros and Cons of Wireless (.pdf 760kb)
Copyright 2003, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. This posting is by permission of ASHRAE Journal. This article may not be copied nor distributed in either paper or digital form without ASHRAE's permission. Contact ASHRAE at www.ashrae.org.
Contact: Michael Brambley
