Transforming building automation data into building performance metrics - design, implementation and evaluation of use of a performance monitoring and management system

Aalto University, P.O. Box 11000, FI-00076 Aalto www.aalto. fi Author Heikki Ihasalo Name of the doctoral dissertation Transforming building automation data into building performance metrics – design, implementation and evaluation of use of a performance monitoring and management system Publisher School of Electrical Engineering Unit Department of Automation and Systems Technology Series Aalto University publication series DOCTORAL DISSERTATIONS 26/2012 Field of research Automation Technology Manuscript submitted 21 October 2011 Manuscript revised 15 February 2012 Date of the defence 23 March 2012 Language English Monograph Article dissertation (summary + original articles) Abstract This dissertation focuses on the construction and evaluation of a continuous building performance measurement tool. These kinds of tools provide a method for improving the quality and performance of buildings. There is a need for performance measurement, since it is quite common that buildings do not perform as intended. As the development trend is towards low and zero-energy buildings equipped with new and complex technologies, the significance of quality and performance assurance becomes even greater. The constructive research approach was the main research method in this thesis. This method was used to build the continuous performance measurement solution. The primary method was supplemented with qualitative research methods in the evaluation part of the study. The solution was evaluated from the users’ perspective by interviewing solution users with the help of a semi-structured guide. The interview data was later analysed using content analysis to identify emerging themes. The solution presented in this study utilizes building automation data from real buildings and transforms the data into a set of performance metrics. The solution is capable of visualizing a building's performance from energy, indoor conditions and HVAC system perspectives. In addition, the solution presents the performance information in a format that it can be used in both building performance monitoring and management. Although the users were satisfied with the solution in general, they used it only for testing and experimental purposes. The main challenges to using the solution were related to accessibility, trust and management practices. The methods used to transform building automation data into building performance metrics as well as the methods of presenting the information in a format that can be used in both building performance monitoring and management are such that they offer new knowledge to the research field. In addition, the results of the user evaluation suggest that the users may not be satisfied with a web portal dedicated to displaying performance information. Rather they would prefer to receive information in the easiest possible manner, such as via applications that they would otherwise use in their daily workThis dissertation focuses on the construction and evaluation of a continuous building performance measurement tool. These kinds of tools provide a method for improving the quality and performance of buildings. There is a need for performance measurement, since it is quite common that buildings do not perform as intended. As the development trend is towards low and zero-energy buildings equipped with new and complex technologies, the significance of quality and performance assurance becomes even greater. The constructive research approach was the main research method in this thesis. This method was used to build the continuous performance measurement solution. The primary method was supplemented with qualitative research methods in the evaluation part of the study. The solution was evaluated from the users’ perspective by interviewing solution users with the help of a semi-structured guide. The interview data was later analysed using content analysis to identify emerging themes. The solution presented in this study utilizes building automation data from real buildings and transforms the data into a set of performance metrics. The solution is capable of visualizing a building's performance from energy, indoor conditions and HVAC system perspectives. In addition, the solution presents the performance information in a format that it can be used in both building performance monitoring and management. Although the users were satisfied with the solution in general, they used it only for testing and experimental purposes. The main challenges to using the solution were related to accessibility, trust and management practices. The methods used to transform building automation data into building performance metrics as well as the methods of presenting the information in a format that can be used in both building performance monitoring and management are such that they offer new knowledge to the research field. In addition, the results of the user evaluation suggest that the users may not be satisfied with a web portal dedicated to displaying performance information. Rather they would prefer to receive information in the easiest possible manner, such as via applications that they would otherwise use in their daily work