Nwaogu, O (2017) A systems approach to the development of an energy benchmarking process model for commercial buildings. DEng thesis, Morgan State University, USA.
Abstract
The United States uses the second largest amount of energy in the world – next to China. The building sector, which comprises residential and commercial buildings, constitutes 40% of primary energy consumption within the United States. The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is a crucial environmental initiative in the 21st century. Energy benchmarking has been identified as a means to achieve such goals within reasonable financial constraints - particularly with regards to enhanced building energy performance. In conjunction with the utility industry, state agencies, and energy advocacy groups, the Department of Energy (DOE) has initiated strategies such as rebates on qualified appliances as well as strategic energy comparisons and subsequent building audits using the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool. For the purpose of this dissertation, a system engineering approach is used to understand and integrate the various facets involved in challenges of a multi-disciplinary nature such as energy benchmarking in commercial buildings. The Systems Development Life Cycle is used as a framework for the analysis and design of the different facets (viewed as sub-systems) that facilitate the successful implementation of energy benchmarking in a defined jurisdiction. The end result is the development of a comprehensive energy benchmarking process model, using the Systems Modeling Language (SysML). The process model can be disseminated to cities across the energy benchmarking implementation spectrum, as a resource for the purpose of implementation.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Bronner, L |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | China; United States; benchmarking; energy consumption; energy performance; life cycle; multi-disciplinary; residential |
| Index terms: | dissertation, energy performance, implementation, modelling, energy consumption, life cycle, energy star, audit, consumption, agency, China, benchmarking, greenhouse gas emission, commercial building, strategy, jurisdiction, United States, manager, energy benchmarking, primary energy |
| Subjects: | sustainability and energy, energy systems, value management, sociology, environmental health, performance measurement, management, legal systems, contractual arrangements, analytical methods, construction type, research dissemination and communication, consumer economics, practitioner, Geography |
| Topics: | Roles and Professions, Stakeholder Management, Construction Technology, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Procurement, Sustainability, Project Management, Geographical Context, Engineering Principles, Legal Issues, Quality Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here