The purpose of the Phase 2 demonstration is to build, deploy, and evaluate the IMDS described in the previous sections. Our approach is to build the system for an actual building using a flexible system architecture, and embellishing it as warranted by feedback from building owners and operators. The specific objectives are:
The demonstration consists of the following elements. The first task is to finalize an agreement with a building engineer and property manager to allow the system to be installed. The final custom specification will be developed and the equipment will be purchased. The equipment will then be installed and commissioned, plus the operators will be trained to download the data into the diagnostics system. Once the system is installed we will carefully document how it is used and evaluate the data collected on site. Baseline energy performance data will be collected for use in evaluating energy savings from changes in operations that result from using the diagnostic system. This evaluation requires recording changes made in operations and control.
The research team will develop a preliminary functional specification documenting rules and algorithms to describe the most important faults detected with the diagnostic system. The specification will include an electronic document to (a) describe rules and variables used for performance assessment and diagnosis, (b) identify degradation and failure modes and conditions associated with each mode, and (c) identify all ranges of variables used to categorize performance. As mentioned above, the demonstration effort will also explore methods to automate the diagnostics. The increased intelligence will take two forms: (1) more automated diagnoses and (2) the beginning of a capability of the system to be self learning (learn from experience).
Another important aspect of the demonstration is the evaluation of human factors and the ease of use of the diagnostic system. This evaluation will consider questions such as: how is the system being used, and are there major issues with the interface that inhibit the optimal use of the system? These same questions and findings will be reviewed with the peer operators and owners to obtain additional feedback on these questions from similar potential users. A series of recommendations will be implemented if possible.
Since high quality sensors are a critical element of the diagnostic system design, the demonstration will include an evaluation of the costs and benefits of data accuracy and relative value of each data point. This activity will include categorizing the data in the test system to determine which data fields were most useful and important, plus evaluate accuracy requirements for each diagnostic technique used and performance failure identified. This task will also include evaluating the life-cycle costs (first costs and maintenance costs) of high-quality, high-end sensors versus alternative, more common sensors. The demonstration will also include comparisons of the EMCS data with the diagnostics system data.
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