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W AT is AE Bui ld iNcis TF-ch N otociy CENTEFI?

The Buildings Technology Center (BTC), established by the U. S. Department of Energy (IDOE), provides the U.S.

buildings industry with broad access to a unique collection of testing arid analysis capa bilities at Oaf, Ridge National

Laboratory (ORNL). The special focus of these capabilities is building energy efficiency improvements . The BTC

makes available. ORNL expertise on building envelopes; heating, cooling , and refrigeration equipment; and existing

buildings performance monitoring and analysis. The 8T C consists of Building Envelope Research, Heating and

Cooling Tec hnology, and Existing Buildings Research.

h6issiono To use diverse and unique staff capabilities and research facilities to help the Department of Energy,

United States industry, and other customers identify issues and solve problems of major significance relative to

building systems, environmental control, and energy delivery . We pursue solutions that are energy efficient,

er^viror ri°rerrt 11 W nd, and ccst effective.. We ctirnul te., Pew , 211 anti s ^fe. in ; < rtr^ x f^ips for terrhnnlo,y

development and n plarnerxttaation.

huff u i F _ d E5 'I h T E ik .. i s i Nd USTRY? .

adding [i w ope Research

* Characterized in situ thermal performance of different ley es oT roof, attic, wall, and foundation insulation.

' Developed decision guides and national code and, standard databases for roof, wall, and foundation construction,

including cost effectiveness of roof color and at.pe.

Determined the performance characteristics of foam insulation wiY°n chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) alternatives.

Found significant heat losses from convectkir in dow-density loose-FXX' insulation in attics during heating season

and identified cures.

He tirng and Cooling Teclihnobbgy

® Performed laboratory and field evalua°tions of high-efficiency electric and gas heat pumps.

Designed and tested modifications to rafd erator-freezers that improve energy efficiency and eliminate

CFC refrigerants.

Conducted technical assessments for rog enaration and central heating plant options to improve energy efficiency.

C Assessed the global warming impact of CFC alternatives.

Existing Buildings Research

• Developed and field tested energy diagnostic procedures for residential s 4 small commercial buildings.

They address heating system efficiency and safety, air conditioner tune-up and repair, and air leakage

in duct systems and building envelopes.

0 Developed and field tested PC-based energy audits for single-family homes.

a Provided field training on diagnostic inspection methods for weatherizatiion and rehabilitation agencies.

H qw d you USE TILE RUiLdiNgs TEc1Nol0gy CENTER?

Industry can access the BTC in several ways. User Agreements. allow users to work on their projects alongside STC

staff. Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) give com.parries the opportunity to seek DOE

co-funding for their projects. Work For Others Agreements allow the BTC to carry out proprietary research for full

cost recovery. The most appropriate arrangement can be determined by contacting the BTC facility manager. All

projects are subject to the condition that they be consistent with or give priority to the FITC's primary mission: to

support DOE research on energy- efficient buildings.

C ADAs at the BTC have included the participation of such companies and agencies as Dow Chemical, Du Pont,

Allied Signal, the Association of Horne Appliance Manufacturers (AHAt )., the Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA), Clayton Hones, Dow Corning, and the National Roofing Contractors Association. Universities and research

institutes include the University of Minnesota ; the Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm; the University of

Auckland, New Zealand; the Moscow Scientific, Research and Experimental Institute; and the Technical University

of Denmark. The STO also works with Tennessee State University through the Historically Black Colleges and

Universities Program.

EE-DET-97-550 COMMENT 0H
it l Laboratory

BIJ ELdINqS TEcko[oqy CENyE^

NaJn. User Erra

The Buildings Technology Center (BTC), established by the U.S.

Department of Energy (DOE), provides the U.S. buildings industry

with broader access to a unique collection of testing and analysis

capabilities at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The special

focus of these capabilities is building energy efficiency improvements.

The BTC makes available ORNL expertise on building envelopes;

heating , cooling, and refrigeration equipment; and existing buildings

performance monitoring and analysis.

Cooperative research and development agreements (CRADAs) at the

BTC have included the participation of such companies and agencies

as Dow Chemical , Du Pont, Allied Signal, the Association of Home

Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), the Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA), Clayton Homes , Dow Corning , and the National

Roofing Contractors Association.

The BTC is housed in a cluster of six buildings with over 20,000

square feet of space and has a permanent staff of about 50, which is

continuously supplemented by 10 to 20 guest workers . Annual

program expenditures are about $13 million. The BTC consists of

Building Envelope Research , Heating and Cooling Technology, and

Existing Buildings Research.

For more information contact the facility manager for the Buildings

Technology Center:

George E. Courville

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

P. O. Box 2008, MS 6070

Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6070

Phone number: (615) 574-1945

Fax number: (615) 574-9338

do,

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Fact Sheet

ok Ridge ono Laboratory

BuiLd iNqs Y CIENTER

A National

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@,.i's 6 ..+Lac i

The centerpiece test facility is the Large -Scale Climate Simulator

where large roof sections are sandwiched between two environmental

chambers . The upper climate chamber simulates any outdoor

weather condition on earth ; the lower metering chamber models

interior conditions.

Researchers use the Rotatable Guarded Hot Box to test full- size wall,

fenestration, roof, and floor systems. The Roof Thermal Research

Apparatus has eight replaceable roof panels and four replaceable wall

panels and a controlled interior. Two calibrated slab-foundation edges

measure thermal performance of slab-on-grade insulation systems.

The Envelope Systems Research Apparatus resembles a residential

basement topped with a typical commercial low-sloped roof. It is used

to study energy and moisture flow through walls, foundations, and

roofs.

For more information contact the facility manager for Building

Envelope Research:

Jeffrey E. Christian

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

P. O. Box 2008, MS 6070

Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6070

Phone number: (615) 574-4345

Fax number: (615) 574-9338

n

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Heat'ng & (oof ng Tedinolagp

BIJI Ld IN e1S TEch N oLo^ y CENTER

U e r c n

This area includes a large , two room (indoor/outdoor) environmental

chamber used to simulate temperatures and humidity conditions.

Advanced air-conditioning, refrigeration , and heat pump systems and

technology are developed in this facility. Two smaller chambers are

used to research appliance and compressor technology.

Calorimeters and specialized test apparatus are used for evaluating

chlorofluorocarbon and hydrochiorofluorocarbon replacement

refrigerants , and heat-exchanger test apparatuses for refrigerant

mixtures are used to investigate and validate thermal performance

benefits of refrigerant-side- and air-side-enhanced heat exchanger

surfaces.

For more information contact the facility manager for Heating and

Cooling Technology:

Philip D. Fairchild

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

P.O. Box 2008, MS 6070

Oak Ridge , TN 37831-6070

Phone number: (615) 574-2020

Fax number: (615) 574-9338

k P? N ion ^, Lab o r ory

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Fact Sheet

csk AI qe : ! ill Lobo of a'

N 010Gy L E TER

National- User TaciliIn this area, research focuses on improving energy efficiency of

existing buildings. Users can develop tools for programs such as the

National Weatherization Program and the National Energy Audit.

Auditing, retrofitting, and monitoring tasks are accomplished using

sensors and data requisition systems to analyze building performance

in the field.

This center includes a wide array of mathematical modelling capability

and computer codes, and a staff committed to working with the

private sector. This collaborative commitment is directed toward

improving building performance and efficiency.

For more information contact the facility manager for Existing

Buildings Research:

William R. Mixon

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

P. O. Box 2008, MS 6070

Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6070

Phone number: (615) 576-7374

Fax number: (615) 574-9338

N)

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BIOGRAPHY

Christine A. Ervin

U.S. Department of Energy

Office of Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20585

Buildings Technology Center

Dedication Ceremony

May 25,1994

Christine Ervin was confirmed in November 1993 as Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency

and Renewable Energy at the United States Department of Energy.

She is responsible for more than $1 billion annually in Federal programs to develop and promote

the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies, in the United States and in

foreign markets.

The programs she oversees involve research and development at DOE's national laboratories,

extensive efforts to commercialize new energy technologies, and grant programs that weatherize

low-income homes, make energy efficiency improvements to schools and hospitals, and fund

energy programs in all 50 states and six U. S. territories.

Prior to her appointment by President William Clinton, Ms. Ervin was Director of the Oregon

Department of Energy, a position that made her the chief energy advisor to the Governor of

Oregon and the Oregon Legislature. In addition to leading Oregon's energy programs, she

chaired a Governor's multi-agency task force on transportation, land-use, air quality, and energy.

Prior to her role in Oregon, Ms. Ervin served as a project director for the World Wildlife Fund

and the Conservation Foundation in Washington, DC. She specialized in policy research on

pollution prevention, product and packaging design, and corporate environmental policy.

From 1982-1987, she was assistant director of the State Budget and Planning Office in Missouri,

overseeing the Governor's statewide budget recommendations for operating and capital

improvement programs.

Ms. Ervin holds a Master of Science degree in physical geography from Oregon State University

and has done post-graduate work in resource economics. She is married and lives in the

Washington, DC area.

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Buildings

BTC

TeckNology CeNns

Multi-Media

1U Foundations

Infrared Camera

2.5 Technology Transfer

Walls

Attic

Roofs

Energy Audits

Refrigerators

Heat Pumps

Ice Storage

t10 RTRA

11 ESRA

Gas Heat Pumps

0

ENVELOPE

SYSTEMS

RESEARCH

APPARATUS

, (ESRA)

Buildings Technology Center (BTC) ENERGY DIVISION

Thermally Activated

eat Pump Facility

2 (Building 3114)

L-J

Roof & Attic

Tester

Large-Scale

Climate

Simulator

(LSCS)

ATTIC

/inse \®

Climate

WALL TESTER

Outside

Climate

Data Acquisition

q q O

(Multi-Media

Room)

VENTILATED

WORK ROOM

Data Acquisitio

LSCS

FRAME

O

ko

O

STORAGE

ROOM

CONTROL

RESTROOM

OFFICE

HOTBOX

FRAME

OFFICE

OFFICE

EFRIG RATOR

TESTER

Environmental

CHAMBERS

Ice

Tank

O

HEAT PUMP

TESTER O

MIX D

REFRIGERANT

TES R

N (Building 3144) ROOF

THERMAL

RESEARCH

APPARATUS

(RTRA)

EE-DET-97-550 COMMENT 0H
The Buildings Technology Center, established by the Office of Building Technologies,

US, Department of Energy.

For more Information contact;

I&W

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

itd iNqs TcliNoLocjy CENTE R

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BU I tdINfjS TECh NO[Oqy (,ENTER CApAbiLiTIES

Testing of Building Materiels and

Roof, Well, and Foundation Systems

Utilizing Unique Facilities

Testing of Energy Efficient HVAC Systems

and Refrigeration Systems and Appliances

0

a Modeling: DOE-2, BLAST (Whole Buildings),

HEATING (Hest Transfer), MATCH (Heat and

ss Transfer), PHCENICS (Fluid Flow), e

HPf)M (Fleet Pump 11esign Model),

NEAP (a,uiidirg Energy Audki's)

0 Analyzing HVAC Optimization and Control

Preparing Chiller Replacement and

efrigerant Management Plans

0 Developing Energy Efficient

Automotive Air Conditioning

a Evaluating Steam and Hot Water District

Heating Systems, Cogeneration

• UtilIzing Whole Building System Approach

to Improved Energy Efficiency

3 01

The mission of the Energy Division at ORNL is to

provide innovative solutions to energy and related

issues of national and global importance through

interdisciplinary research and development. The

Division has three principal thrusts: (1) to perform

environmental, technological, regional, and policy

assessments related to energy development; (2) to

conduct research on improving transportation

system efficiency; and (3) to perform research and

development to improve the efficiency of energy

use and delivery technologies. The Division carries

out its mission with a staff of approximately 200

physical, life, and social scientists, engineers, and

support staff.

ORNL is located just outside the town of Oak

Ridge, Tennessee, and about 20 miles from

Knoxville, Tennessee , in the foothills of the

Cumberland and Smoky mountain ranges. It is

part of the 59,000-acre (146,000-hectare) Oak

Ridge Reservation established by the U.S.

government in 1942 to accommodate facilities for

the secret Manhattan Project. Since World War II,

the laboratory has developed into a center for

energy and environmental research and the basic

science that supports them . ORNL currently is

managed by Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.

r!I

Monitoring Performance of Building

and Facilities

Forming Successful Partnerships with

Industry to Solve Problems

Validating DSM Energy Savings

Preparing Facility/Utility Energy Plans

Identifying Actual Energy Savings and

f l' It®i >x ectkvert^^ etroths

14 Developing Energy Audit and Management

Techniques

0 Analyzing Properties of Refrigerant Mixtures

Developing Alternative (Non-CPC) Refrigerants

identifying Moisture Control Solutions

for Buildings

Enhancing the Awareness and Understanding

of Environmental Issues in Buildings

E Bui ldiNcis TEchN010qY CANTER

The Buildings Technology Center is housed in a 4;.rster^Jt six buildings

at Oak Ridge National Laboratory containing rr-,.ore than 20,000 square

feet. It has a permanent staff of about 50. The center include-2 Building

Envelopes Research, Heating and Cooling Technology, and Existing

Buildings Research.

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