Dynamic modeling, simulation and energy performance improvement of NASA Ames Sustainability Base

Combining collected onsite measurements in buildings with simulations from calibrated dynamic energy performance models allows enhancing the overall energy efficiency and operation scheme of different energy supply systems in addition to aiding the development and implementation of effective operation management and control strategies. This study presents the overall process of modeling, simulation and energy performance improvement of the NASA Sustainability Base building. The building has multiple onsite renewable energy systems to provide heating, cooling and electricity, including solar PV units, solar thermal collectors, solid oxide full cells and a ground-source heat pump system. A holistic whole building energy model was developed using a software package of Sketchup Pro, OpenStudio and EnergyPlus tools. The detailed model provides an accurate representation of the various building specifications and characteristics including location, orientation, geometry and zones distribution, physical envelope and construction materials, energy generation and supply systems scheme, renewable energy systems onsite, loads and equipment in addition to occupancy patterns. The model was calibrated using actual energy consumption data. The calibrated model serves as a baseline and various energy management and control strategies were implemented and evaluated. Such energy measures include indoor thermal comfort setpoints management, mechanical and natural ventilation control, demand-controlled ventilation, heating and cooling loops control, thermal energy storage management, lighting control and fuel cells waste heat recovery. The different strategies and scenarios were simulated and assessed considering the impact on the building overall energy consumption. Based on the overall assessment and evaluation, suggestions and recommendations are provided to aid the decision-making process in improving the overall building performance. In addition, the building detailed dynamic energy model developed will be used as a basis for building energy performance monitoring and evaluation to ensure a proper operation as a part of the building continuous commissioning framework.