Course: GFM 102 Technical Aspects of Energy, Resources & Conservation

Reading

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Using Historical Energy Trends And Profiles

Higher-resolution data points are necessary for certain types of resource data identification and reduction strategies. In general, there are two ways a building manager can pursue reductions in energy or water use: through increased resource efficiency or through resource conservation. Resource efficiency is usually increased through the installation of new technologies that deliver the same service (lighting, heating and cooling, hand washing, etc.) while using less energy or water. Resource conservation, on the other hand, is achieved through improved operation and maintenance (O&M) practices and/or occupant behaviors such as reducing lighting or heating loads and reprogramming energy control systems.

The submetering of buildings, through the refined measurement of energy and water use, enables the improved performance of new and existing buildings. Submetering provides the operations and maintenance transparency necessary to enable more efficient management of energy and water resources. In addition, submetering can drive behavioral change related to energy conservation and advance real-time building interaction with the Smart Grid. Each of these potential benefits can dramatically improve building performance and lead to reduced resource consumption. For building operators, a detailed record of system performance data is critical not only to detect system malfunctions, but also to focus future design and retrofit activities on the most cost-effective energy and water system improvements. For building occupants, submetering provides detailed information on their consumption behaviors, which in turn promotes resource conservation.

Submetering usually leads to very specific end-use profiles. And when combined with historical data, submetering becomes more than just energy measurements. This technology quickly tells us when and if conservation programs are reducing energy (and costs).

Click here to access the article Submetering of Building Energy and Water Usage from the National Science and Technology Council.