Benchmarking Performance Assessment for Small-Commercial Buildings

Goal Statement:
To evaluate alternative methods to provide energy bill payers with useful metrics that will encourage comparison of their energy use with that of others.

Results:
Our accomplishments to date have focused on the areas listed below:

• Report on benchmarking studies and building-survey instruments
• Detailed analysis of data from potential field research locations in California and the MIT campus
• Analysis of potential CBECS data use
• Site visits to assess field research suitability
  • An Oakland Community College
  • Three small commercial buildings in East Palo Alto, CA
  • Several buildings in the Presidio in San Francisco (National Park Service)
  • Four public schools in the West Contra Costa Unified School District (determined to be the most suitable candidates)
• Completed a report on benchmarking methodologies for 49 schools in the West Contra Costa Unified School District
• Installed two dedicated high-speed electrical meters (NILM), developed at MIT, which are capable of distinguishing major electrical loads served from a single electrical distribution point
• Used one of the NILM installations to assess the benefits of night ventilation as a cooling strategy.

Benchmarking Performance Assessment for Small-Commercial Buildings accomplishments in detail.

Downloads and Links:

• Benchmarking Performance Assessment for Small Commercial Buildings - Final Report (4.0 MB, 78 pp)
   
• Report on metrics appropriate for small commercial customers (1.26 MB, 31 pp)
   
• Report on selection of case study sites (1.26 MB, 31 pp)

Contact: Les Norford, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)