MAE FA19 Colloquium Series: Towards Designing and Retrofitting Sustainable and Intelligent Buildings

Description

ABSTRACT

The presentation overviews the needs and benefits for designing and retrofitting sustainable, smart, and resilient buildings. In particular, tools and metrics are outlined to ensure buildings are operated efficiently and intelligently to meet the needs of occupants as well as the grids under various conditions. Specifically, the presentation introduces a new analysis framework using the concept of energy productivity that accounts for both energy consumption reduction and value added benefits of energy efficiency. The energy productivity framework is demonstrated for the building sector to evaluate the impact of energy efficiency policies and programs at the macro and micro levels. Moreover, a wide range of novel technologies is outlined throughout the presentation to allow buildings’ operation to be sustainable, smart, and responsive to the occupants and the grid. The technologies span from switchable building envelope materials to integrated heating and cooling systems as well as smart controls using machine learning to adopt to occupant behaviors and living patterns. Moreover, case studies of buildingsdesigned to be energy efficient and intelligent are outlined throughout the presentation.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Moncef Krarti, Professor at the University of Colorado, has a vast experience in designing, testing, and assessing innovative energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies applied to buildings. He has graduated from University of Colorado with both MS and PhD in Civil Engineering. Prof. Krarti directed several projects in designing energy efficient buildings with integrated renewable energy systems. He has published over 250 technical journals and handbook chapters in various fields related to energy efficiency, distribution generation, and demand side management for the built environment. Moreover, he has published several books on building energy efficient systems. Due to his dedication to disseminate knowledge, Prof. Krarti is a Fellow member to the American Society for Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the largest international professional society. He is the founding editor of the ASME Journal of Sustainable Buildings & Cities Equipment and Systems. Moreover, Prof. Krarti has taught several different courses related to building energy systems for over 20 years in the US and abroad. As part of his activities as a professor at the University of Colorado, Prof. Krarti has been managing the research activities of an energy management center at the University of Colorado with an emphasis of testing and evaluating the performance of mechanical and electrical systems for residential and commercial buildings. He has also helped the development of similar energy efficiency centers in other countries including Brazil, Mexico, and Tunisia. In addition, Prof. Krarti has an extensive experience in promoting building energy technologies and policies overseas, including the establishment of energy research centers, the development of building energy codes, and the delivery of energy training programs in several countries.

Cornell faculty, staff, and students