A framework for commissioning and energy performance measurement and verification in buildings

Building practitioners work diligently to develop more energy efficient buildings while not compromising human comfort. Building Automation System (BAS) has gained popularity as one of the key information sources for building Commissioning (Cx) and Performance measurement and verification (PM&V), which are typical practices for energy efficiency improvements. However, the BAS installed in buildings itself cannot estimate performance level relative to the design intent. It does not inform the building manager of how much energy could be saved from implementing Energy Efficiency Measures (EEMs) after the Cx processes either. This paper presents a framework of integrating Cx and PM&V with BAS and Energy Management & Control System (EMCS) in existing commercial buildings. This framework has been conceptualized based on the Cx and International Performance Measurement & Verification Protocol (IPMVP) Option-C and D. The framework was tested in a case study using a building located in the Research Triangle Park (RTP), North Carolina. The proposed framework takes advantage of both simulation modeling and regression analysis in its process to provide the information about potential energy savings and energy efficiency improvements in buildings.