Task 05-04 – Mechanical System Technology Evaluation

Objective

According to recent studies, commercial, institutional, and governmental buildings consume nearly 5.3 quads of energy annually on-site. Of that total building energy consumption over half is associated with Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC). Ventilation alone is estimated to consume 1.4 quads of energy to condition and circulate fresh air. Building ventilation systems are designed to maintain desired interior space conditions while providing enough outside air to meet or exceed minimum code requirements, as typically set by the prescriptive rates in ASHRAE Standard 62 Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality. The prevailing IAQ solution is dilution, that is, sufficient ventilation air is introduced from outdoors to reduce contaminant concentrations to acceptable levels indoors. Cost effectively conditioning and controlling ventilation air has become a critical building energy use issue.

It has been demonstrated that conventional HVAC technology is unable to efficiently meet the challenge of higher ventilation air loads, humidity control, and changing occupancy densities. Next generation mechanical system technologies (MSTs) aim to take advantage of new technologies that have been developed in response to these issues. Compared to traditional ventilation systems, next generation mechanical system technologies will improve indoor air quality and ventilation effectiveness, while reducing energy consumption. Current research has identified three major groups of innovative technologies that show promise in contributing to the development of next generation MSTs: Integrated Space Heating, Cooling and Ventilation Systems; Dedicated Outside Air Systems; and Demand Controlled Ventilation Systems.

As a first step, experts will be interviewed and literature reviewed in order to compare existing and emerging MSTs. Next, available building simulation and other quantitative modeling tools will be utilized to identify proper applications for MSTs as a function of climate type, building type, and space type (occupancy density), and to quantify energy savings and lifecycle costs. Work will then be directed to education of the market with respect to the MST opportunities identified using a three-stage approach: development of educational briefing materials; and targeted training seminars for A/E frims and mechanical equipment sales/installation/service firms. All educational materials will be laid out in a “training-the-trainer” format that would allow another instructor to pick up and present the seminar. The effort will conclude with compilation of recommended actions to move next generation MSTs closer to application.

Major Sub-awardees

This project is being executed by the Energy Resources Center (ERC) at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). The Principal Investigator is Michael Chimack.
This project will be initiated January 1, 2006 and is scheduled to be completed in 18 months.