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ASHRAE Technical Committee 4.7 - Energy Calculations
FAQ Page
Welcome
to our frequently asked questions page. The FAQ presented here attempts to
answer common questions about the work of TC 4.7. In addition, the TC has
prepared a Technical Bulletin aimed at answering some technical questions
regarding estimating building energy usage.
Section 1: General questions about TC 4.7
1.1 What are the aims and scope of TC4.7?
1.2 How is TC 4.7 organized?
1.3 What is the scope of the Simulation and Component
models Subcommittee?
1.4 What is the scope of the Inverse methods
Subcommittee?
1.5 What is the scope of the Applications Subcommittee?
1.6 What is the scope of the handbook subcommittee?
1.7 What standards is TC4.7 responsible for?
1.8 How can I contribute to TC 4.7?
1.1 What are the aims and scope of
TC4.7?
ASHRAE's Technical Committee 4.7
'Energy Calculations' is concerned with identifying, evaluating, developing,
and recommending procedures for calculating energy performance of
buildings. Accordingly, TC 4.7 procures research projects, organizes
program events, prepares handbook information and is responsible for
standards relating to energy calculation.
1.2 How is TC 4.7 organized?
TC 4.7 is organized as a main committee
with four subcommittees. The three topical subcommittees are
Applications, Inverse methods, and Simulation and Component Models. In
addition, a handbook subcommittee prepares and updates the Energy
Estimating and Modeling Methods of the Handbook of Fundamentals.
Research, Programs, and Standards are handled by each of the topical
subcommittees, with all activities coordinated by one member of the
committee.
1.3 What is the scope of the Simulation
and Component models Subcommittee?
The Simulation and Component Models
subcommittee is concerned with the development of deterministic models,
algorithms, and computational frameworks for energy calculations. This
includes models of both building heat transfer, and HVAC plant/equipment.
Deterministic models are the basis of what are normally thought of as
'energy calculation programs' and also 'component' and 'equation' based
simulation programs. Such models are commonly used in the 'forward' mode
- performance is the output of the model given boundary conditions and
model parameters. The input data and parameters of such models can come
from design data and historical weather data, but can also come from
measurements and a calibration process.
1.4 What is the scope of the
Data-driven Modeling Subcommittee?
The Data-driven Modeling subcommittee
is concerned with development of models, algorithms and computational
frameworks for energy calculations that use existing (historical)
building energy consumption data.
Such models and algorithms are used to analyze the energy impact of
retrofits to existing buildings and in support of energy management
decisions. These models can be thought of as working in 'backwards' mode
and use historical data and fewer estimated parameters. They are aimed at
modeling 'as built' energy performance.
1.5 What is the scope of the
Applications Subcommittee?
The Applications subcommittee is
concerned with the application of both deterministic and inverse methods
to the following activities:
1.
Design of new buildings and systems
2.
Assessing the energy impact of design retrofits
3.
Supporting energy management decisions
4.
In support of energy codes (e.g. ASHRAE standard
90.1).
1.6 What is the scope of the Handbook
Subcommittee?
The Handbook subcommittee is concerned
with developing and maintaining material that appears in the ASHRAE
handbooks relating to energy calculation. The subcommittee works with
handbook subcommittees of other TCs and the special publications
department of ASHRAE in preparing the handbook material on a regular
handbook update cycle. TC 4.7 is currently responsible for the 'Energy
Estimation and Modeling Methods' chapter in the 'Fundamentals' Handbook.
1.7 What standards is TC4.7 responsible
for?
TC 4.7 is responsible for the following
standards:
·
ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 140-2001: Standard Method of Test for the
Evaluation of Building Energy Analysis Computer Programs.
This standard now has its own standing standards project committee (SSPC
140).
1.8 How can I contribute to TC 4.7?
TC 4.7 meets at ASHRAEs semi-annual
meetings. The meetings are open for anybody to attend - ASHRAE members,
non-members and visitors. The committee (and other interested parties)
also communicate using an email list. All of the work of the committee is
done on a voluntary basis. You do not have to be a formal member of the
committee to volunteer for anything although some activities, such as
project evaluation subcommittees require meeting attendance for
participation. ASHRAE keeps a roster of the committees voting members and
corresponding members. If you want to be a corresponding member you can
fill in a card at the summer meeting when the roster is updated.
You do not have to be a formal member of the committee to be on a
subcommittee. The subcommittees are often looking for volunteers to
organize program events and prepare research project proposals (RTARs and
Work statements). If you are interested in working on a research proposal
you are encouraged to find one or more other people involved with the
relevant subcommittee to work with.
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