Master of Science in Architecture

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Master of Science in Architecture

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https://hdl.handle.net/1853/73243

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Degree Series

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School of Architecture

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 11

Optimizing microgrid distributed energy resources with varying building loads: Analysis and simulation

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2018-08-09) Haroon, Sohail

As microgrids continue to evolve and become more prevalent, there arises a need to understand how best to design while addressing the fundamental objective of meeting energy loads. As a localized energy entity, a microgrid brings together distributed energy resources such as photovoltaics and energy storage systems with an array of building loads within a well-defined electrical boundary. Microgrids can vary considerably in scope, co-existing with the utility grid infrastructure, or being able to operate independently of it, or some combination in between of grid-tie and off-grid operation. Many challenges face the design and operation of a microgrid involving intelligent controllers and dispatchers, balancing generation resources, interacting with the utility grid, and doing all this in a cost-effective manner. This study examines the role of building load profiles in optimization of distributed energy resources, in particular, photovoltaics and storage system. The grid is assumed to be stable and contrasting rate structures are explored. Similarly, contrasting load profiles can shed light on a microgrid’s ability to meet demand versus energy loads. Modeling and simulation is done via an industry standard tool, HOMER GRID. Detailed hourly load profiles for various building mix profiles are generated via an expanded building energy modeling tool, Energy Performance Calculator (EPC), developed at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Demand response is also handled via EPC. Optimization is across the spectrum of net present cost, operating cost, return on investment, and a redefined levelized cost of electricity metric. A simple methodology is derived that can aid in the general design of balancing and optimizing distributed energy resources based on the findings of optimization across scenarios. Of vital importance to a microgrid stakeholder is risk mitigation in the deployment and usage of distributed energy resources, operating costs, and load fulfillment. This study paves the path of better understanding of integration of microgrids within an evolving smarter utility grid. Future studies will explore an even wider mix of buildings, the effect of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations via the building load profiles, and the evolution of microgrid rate structures from the perspective of Independent System Operators (ISO) and Regional Transmission Organizations (RTO). In addition, scope will be expanded to include microgrids that service villages and islands where grid stability cannot be assumed thus covering the gamut of microgrid presence worldwide.
The synergistic effects of thermal environment and visibility upon the popularity of street retail area: A case study of a retail arcade in Guangzhou

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2018-08-01) Li, Yifan

For every building design process, three elements should be taken into considerations: building type, geometry and environment. These elements mutually influence one another; the aim of architectural design is to find the most appropriate combination of them. The three elements could be analyzed and modeled by using tools and methods in the fields of architecture typology, space syntax, and building performance simulation. The use of such tools supports not only qualitative research and evaluation, but also quantitative comparison. This work focuses on the arcade, a type of street retail space in South China. The overhanging 2nd floor not only moderates the thermal and environmental quality of the passage beneath it, but also affects the visibility of store fronts. In this study the conditions created in arcaded environments are compared to those in a normal street retail environment. Several analysis tools are used: Isovist and daylighting analyses are combined in order to model the visibility of store fronts; environmental simulation is used to assess thermal performance (e.g. temperature, wind speed, and humidity). The results are used to characterize the attraction of stores which are similar regarding size, location and retail type but are interfaced to different types of outdoor space. By combining the results of the analysis with observations of the stores’ popularity the research concludes with recommendations about the design of store environments that are more likely to attract visitors. Tools: Depthmap, Grasshopper, Diva, Ladybug, Honeybee, IES-VE
Multi-aspect energy performance of building form in eight U.S. climate zones

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2017-07-19) Feng, Tianyu

This research examines how building massing and building form impacts on multiple levels of building energy usage and inspects sensitivity of form parameters against other components using a building energy simulation-based framework. Based on literature review, a new concept, Relative Compactness (RC) is implemented throughout the research as the leading form characteristic to evaluate and validate the energy performance impact of building massing and form parameters. From an architectural design perspective, the RC is coupled with window sizes, window distribution and orientation; they are collectively treated as defining building form. It was found that a decrease of RC shows strong correlation with the increase of building energy usage in comparison to a cubic form for major building types located in different climate zones. In the study of the building form, a comprehensive comparison of multiple energy saving measures is conducted to rank the energy saving potentials of various parameters, include HVAC system type, cooling EER, heating COP, lighting power density, daylighting sensor, occupancy sensor, window U-value window and roof R-value, in a building energy simulation-based model. Building form impacts energy usage significantly depending on the range of the parameters defined in this study, especially the window related properties including the unit U-value, window area and distribution over different building facade orientations. Overall, the energy saving variation of all the evaluated strategies is highly interactive, and one component could affect the total energy consumption greatly. It is important to make sure each aspect of a project guarantees a proper efficiency level to maximize its effect. The results are discussed and shown to vary by climate zone.
The use of building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) towards ultra energy efficient buildings

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2017-01-03) Kishore, Pranav

This study talks about the energy efficient buildings from demand side of management as well as supply side of management too. It mainly covers feasibility and challenges of BIPV integration in the buildings. This study can also be used for deciding that whether a dynamic simulation modeling is required about the feasibility of BIPV integration in a commercial building.
Solar shift: A perspective on building energy performance under haze pollutions in China

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2016-05-31) Jia, Yiyuan

The severe haze pollution in China has arisen concerns among the public and government officials, due to its impacts on pubic health, visibility, climate and agriculture. To augment these findings of the negative impacts of haze pollution, this study investigates the “solar shift” effect due to haze pollutions and the potential (unreported) impacts on buildings’ energy performance in China. This study takes the aerosol optical depth (AOD) as a measure of the solar blocking effect of haze pollutions. By plugging in the measured and projected AOD data in solar models, three weather files for Beijing are developed that represent different haze pollution for the following scenarios: the 2014 situation, the optimistic projection of 2050 (2050A) and the pessimistic projection of 2050 (2050B). Together with the TMY, these weather files serve as the boundary conditions in building energy modeling practices. The results indicate the district heating energy consumption under the 2014 aerosol emission levels would increase 5 % compared to the current practice using TMY weather file. In the pessimistic scenario where we assume to keep the current pace of aerosol emissions, the district heating energy would increase 10 %. The current ASHRAE design day sizing method would assure the heating load being met under all possible scenarios investigated in this study.
Towards modeling of retrofit processes

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2015-08-05) Szymkiewicz, Paul M.

Energy retrofits can be executed by a building owner with or without the supervision of a third-party agent. We define process models to capture third-party energy retrofit inspection activities, and refine, augment, and generalize those models to then examine the impact of third-party retrofit inspections. Buildings included in the study vary considerably in type, and so do retrofit programs applied to those buildings.
HVAC operation uncertainty in energy performance gap

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2015-05-19) Wang, Yijia

This study aims at a preliminary characterization of system operation uncertainty. It bases this on an analysis of the energy consumption of 6 existing buildings on the Georgia Tech campus. The analysis is speculative in nature.
Thermo-hygroscopic envelope to support alternative cooling systems: speculative feasibility study in a small office building

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2014-09-02) Marshall, Marionyt Tyrone

The thesis explores the technical feasibility of an alternative method of decoupling air-conditioning systems function within the context of ecological issues. The system is a variant of dedicated outdoor air systems to separate dehumidification and cooling in air conditioning equipment. The project specifically investigates locating these components within the building envelope. Placement in the envelope moves the systems closer to fresh air and offers architectural expression for components that are normally out of sight. Designers, engineers, building science, mechanical, structural, biologist, and architectural engineers ideally as agents offer beneficial improvement to the system. The reduction in size of components into the building envelope offers risk. The thesis design space uses historical works, biological analogues, and past work to ground the technical understanding of the topic. Specific use of biological inspired design realizes translation from other systems to improve the alternative decoupled air conditioning system. The thesis develops prototype models for lighting analysis and for sensible and latent heat calculations. Psychrometric charts serve as tools to understand the thermodynamic air-conditioning process in conventional direct expansion vapor compression and solar liquid desiccant air conditioning systems. Data, models, and sketches provide tools for improvements to the 'thick' building envelope. Finally, the diagrams translate into functional decompositions for modifications to improve the system. The thesis probes the constraints in the areas of cost, fabrication, and technology that may not yet exist for selective improvement rather than a barrier to development of the thesis.
Characterization of HVAC operation uncertainty in EnergyPlus AHU modules

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2014-04-21) Sui, Di

This study addresses 5 uncertainties that exist in the operation of HVAC systems, which will presumably affect the actual energy consumption of the HVAC system in comparison to the consumption under idealized bahavior. We consequently add these parameters and their uncertainty range into the source code, eventually resulting in an EnergyPlus program in which the HVAC operation uncertainty is embedded as so-called model form uncertainty. The upgraded EnergyPlus is tested for each parameter uncertainty separately, and to show the impact of each uncertainty albeit for hypothetical uncertainty ranges of the parameters.
Comparative analysis of the VRF system and conventional HVAC systems, focused on life-cycle cost

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2013-11-26) Park, Jaesuk

As concern for the environment has been dramatically raised over the recent decade, all fields have increased their efforts to reduce impact on environment. The field of construction has responded and started to develop the building performance strategies as well as regulations to reduce the impact on the environment. HVAC systems are obviously one of the key factors of building energy consumption. This study investigates the system performance and economic value of variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems relative to conventional HVAC systems by comparing life-cycle cost of VRF systems to that of conventional HVAC systems. VRF systems consist mainly of one outdoor unit and several indoor units. The outdoor unit provides all indoor units with cooled or heated refrigerant; with these refrigerants, each indoor unit serves one zone, delivering either heating or cooling. Due to its special configuration, the VRF system can cool some zones and heat other zones simultaneously. This comparative analysis covers six building types—medium office, standalone retail, primary school, hotel, hospital, and apartment—in a eleven climate zones—1A Miami, 2A Houston, 2B Phoenix, 3A Atlanta, 3B Las Vegas, 3C San Francisco, 4A Baltimore, 4B Albuquerque, 4C Seattle, 5A Chicago, and 5B Boulder. Energy simulations conducted by EnergyPlus are done for each building type in each climate zone. Base cases for each simulation are the reference models that U.S. Department of Energy has developed, whereas the alternative case is the same building in the same location with a VRF system. The life-cycle cost analysis provides Net Savings, Savingto- Investment ratio, and payback years. The major findings are that the VRF system has an average of thirty-nine percent HVAC energy consumption savings. As for the results of the life-cycle cost analysis, the average of simple payback period is twelve years.