Page 11 - Zero Net Energy Case Study Buildings-Volume 2

a ZNE building designed in 2008-2010, the Packard Headquarters Building (documented in Volume 1), and the client utilized its own IT staff to modify some existing industrial control software and to develop such a master control system for the project. (See illustration on facing page.) This is a custom system designed specifically for this project, but it was one of the first applications of the concept and has proved to be very successful in the operation of this building.
Since then, master control systems for the integration of building controls have been developed commercially, although modification and adaptation are still required for each specific project. As more building sub-systems become “smart” and are addressable by such systems, as expected with the advent of the Internet of Things (IOT), such a master control system will become standard in building applications. Some of these systems are proprietary, but there are now open, non-proprietary systems currently available as well. These systems mark a significant improvement in the state-of-the-art and a valuable tool for the design and operation of highly energy-efficient buildings. (See illustration below.)
The arrival of this type of system is an important technical advance and it also heralds the importance of a new role on the design team—the “master system integrator”, or simply the ”integrator”. This is the design engineer or technician who programs the basic software of the master controls system for the seamless integration of all the component control systems used to operate the building at maximum efficiency. It is important that this specialist participate in the design development of the ZNE building and continue in that role through early occupancy, working with the commissioning agent to ensure reliable operation of all energy-related sub- systems per the design intent.
Three of the case study buildings documented in Volume 2 incorporated master control systems that were programmed by a system integrator, who was added to the project team for just this purpose. One project used a proprietary master system, while the two others used a non-
(Below, this page) Non-propri- etary master control system used for the IBEW-NECA Train- ing Facility. (See Case Study No. 8 in Volume 2, Zero Net Energy Case Study Buildings.)
INTRODUCTION ZERO NET ENERGY CASE STUDY BUILDINGS, VOL. 2
Zero Net Energy Case Study Buildings, Volume 2
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