Module 4: Controls in Zero Net Energy (ZNE) Buildings

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Link to Module 1: Introduction to Advanced Benchmarking
Link to Module 2: Portfolio Manager and FirstView
Link to Module 3: Practicum – From Building Data to Analysis

Controls are at the forefront of energy efficiency in both new construction and existing buildings. As building technology becomes more efficient and construction quality and materials improve, controls become the crucial point to ensure high performance of buildings. In this module, we will explore controls research conducted by NBI of some of the highest performing buildings in operation today: Zero Net Energy (ZNE) buildings.

Topics covered in this module include:

Background information on ZNE buildings and this topic
Characteristics of control systems studied
Designers’ controls design selection process
Information about controls users, including operators and occupants
Energy impacts of control systems in high performance buildings
Conclusions, industry trends and recommendations

Please be ready to take notes and stop the videos as necessary to follow along and answer questions as they are posed by the presenters.

Learning Objectives

Understand the importance of controls systems in high performance and ZNE buildings
Characterize priorities in the controls design selection process
Gain awareness of common issues with controls in ZNE buildings and how these issues can be avoided or addressed
Apply controls-related lessons learned from designers, operators and occupants

Section 1 – Background and Controls Characteristics
Slides: Module 4 Section 1 – Background and Controls Characteristics