Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Ryerson University
$122,280.00
An experimental facility for testing the performance of building automation devices and systems
FY 2007-08
Summary
This project aims to develop a prototype experimental facility for testing the performance of building automation devices and systems. The facility is vital for further developing standard testing methodologies and designing better building control algorithms and schemes. The building automation industry has been growing consistently over the last two decades, which has developed significant impacts on the sustainability. Building automation has a crucial role to play in the overall performance of buildings. However recent surveys and studies show that the actual performance of a large percent of building automation systems installed is below the expectation, damaging the credibility of the technology and discouraging further investment. One of the major reasons for this fact is that the control algorithms or schemes applied in these systems can not optimise the operation of the relevant devices controlled, especially when the operating conditions, e.g. the external weather conditions, change. The current building automation business is not operated to encourage rigorous design and implementation of control algorithms and schemes. Technically there is no standard testing method or experimental facility that is commonly accepted and can be used to test both long-term and short-term performance of the control system prior to installation and operation. The facility to be supported by this fund will be the first one of this kind in Canada. It consists of three major components: a computational simulator of building dynamic system, a general purpose interface unit that links the simulator and the controllers to be tested, and a building physics support system that will be used to calibrate the sensors and actuators. It will support a broad range of relevant research activities funded by NSERC, Ryerson University, and other resources. The facility has large potentials to provide the academia and industry with an experimental facility that significantly reduces the time and cost associated with the research of better control methods and development of new control products. It can be used by the industry for both project design and HQP training.
Program
Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Recipient
Location
Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
344554-2007
Name nom
Liao, Zaiyi
Department département
Architectural Science
Organization id
43
Institution établissement
Ryerson University
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2007
Competition year année de concours
2007
Award amount
122280
Program id
EQPEQ
Program name en
Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Program name fr
Outils et instruments de recherche - catégorie 1 (<150 000$)
Group en
Discovery grants programs
Group fr
Programmes de subventions à la découverte
Committee code
1053
Committee name en
Mechanical Engineering - A
Committee name fr
Génie mécanique - A
Area of application code
306
Area of application group en
Energy resources
Area of application group fr
Ressources d'énergie
Area of application en
Energy efficiency
Area of application fr
Efficacité énergétique
Research subject code
2109
Research subject group en
Mechanical engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie mécanique
Research subject en
Mechanical systems and instrumentation
Research subject fr
Instrumentation et systèmes mécaniques
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
An experimental facility for testing the performance of building automation devices and systems
Keyword
NA
Application summary
This project aims to develop a prototype experimental facility for testing the performance of building automation devices and systems. The facility is vital for further developing standard testing methodologies and designing better building control algorithms and schemes. The building automation industry has been growing consistently over the last two decades, which has developed significant impacts on the sustainability. Building automation has a crucial role to play in the overall performance of buildings. However recent surveys and studies show that the actual performance of a large percent of building automation systems installed is below the expectation, damaging the credibility of the technology and discouraging further investment. One of the major reasons for this fact is that the control algorithms or schemes applied in these systems can not optimise the operation of the relevant devices controlled, especially when the operating conditions, e.g. the external weather conditions, change. The current building automation business is not operated to encourage rigorous design and implementation of control algorithms and schemes. Technically there is no standard testing method or experimental facility that is commonly accepted and can be used to test both long-term and short-term performance of the control system prior to installation and operation. The facility to be supported by this fund will be the first one of this kind in Canada. It consists of three major components: a computational simulator of building dynamic system, a general purpose interface unit that links the simulator and the controllers to be tested, and a building physics support system that will be used to calibrate the sensors and actuators. It will support a broad range of relevant research activities funded by NSERC, Ryerson University, and other resources. The facility has large potentials to provide the academia and industry with an experimental facility that significantly reduces the time and cost associated with the research of better control methods and development of new control products. It can be used by the industry for both project design and HQP training.
