A web service for managing new construction utility incentive programs
Building Agent
Client: U.S. Department of Energy and the National Laboratory of the Rockies
The Building Agent was part of a research project at NREL. The Building Agent collects building performance and occupant comfort data, and provides visualizations to occupants and facility managers to empower them to make proactive energy-saving and comfort-improving actions. A desktop interface allows occupants to give feedback, take surveys, and receive energy-saving messages.
Sensors at occupants' desktops collect other data. Four of the six thermal comfort factors defined by ASHRAE Standard 55 (ASHRAE 2004) are addressed in the BA feedback interface:
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Air temperature
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Radiant temperature
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Air speed
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Humidity
Results
Allowed researchers to discover mechanical and sensor issues that were quickly addressed.
Helped collect survey data needed to reach LEED Platinum status for the building.
My Contributions
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User experience and interface design
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Lead author on research paper: Progress on Enabling an Interactive Conversation between Commercial Building Occupants and Their Building to Improve Comfort and Energy Efficiency
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Design and illustration of the bee icon (AgentB)
Desktop Application
Collapsed and open version of the applicaton
Screenshots of the desktop interface are shown to the left. It was installed on all the computers of occupants in the Research Support Facility.
The application notified users when they should open or close the building's windows.
On the "messages" tab, users could report their comfort or discomfort. This information could then be compared with sensor data taken at their work area.
The "energy" tab provided daily energy data by end use and also photovoltaic energy (PV) production.
Another tab was added to administer the LEED survey to building occupants as part of the process for achieving LEED Platinum certification. Enough users completed the survey to meet the LEED requirements.
The hand on the upper left of the interface allowed the user to position the application where they wanted on their desktop. They could also close the application and reopen it from the dock at the top of their screen.
