Integrated energy performance modeling for a retail store building

• DOI: 10.1007/s12273-013-0109-8
• Publication Date: 2013-03-13T15:56:35Z
• Authors: Bing Dong; Mikhail Gorbounov; Shui Yuan; Tiejun Wu; Abhishek Srivastav; Trevor Bailey; Zheng O’Neill
• Keywords: Building envelope; Absorption refrigerator

This paper presents an integrated energy performance modeling approach that considers heat and mass transfer through building envelope, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) and refrigeration systems of a retail store building with limited measured data. The internal heat gains/losses were estimated based on an Extended Kalman Filter. The simulation coupling strategy among room top units (RTUs), refrigeration display cases and zones is based on the ping-pong coupling strategy. The integrated model was validated against measured data from June to August, 2011. The results show that temperature prediction is within the ±1.5°C error band and the RTU electricity energy use prediction is within the ±10% error band. The difference between measured and simulated annual electricity consumption from the refrigeration system is 3%. Based on further analysis and diagnostics, deviations of model predictions from measured data were found to be partially due to the faults in the RTUs. Such deviation accounts for a 4% saving of the total building electrical energy consumption.