Wireless Overview
Under funding from the Building Technologies Program of the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, PNNL staff are investigating ways to use wireless communication to enable highly efficient building operation.
The key promise of wireless technology for building operation is in reducing the cost of installing data acquisition and control systems by eliminating the wires. Moreover, because wireless sensors can be installed and moved without re-wiring, they can be used conveniently to temporarily collect data for troubleshooting. Installation of wiring can represent 20% to 80% of the cost of a sensor point in an HVAC system. The availability of low-cost wireless sensor systems could not only reduce sensor costs overall, but also lead to increased use of sensors. While not the only answer, deploying more sensors is a key factor in achieving the improved monitoring and control necessary to establish and maintain highly efficient and effective building operations.
PNNL is working with collaborators at Southern California Edison, Hines GS Properties, Inc., Inovonics Wireless Corporation, NorthWrite Inc., Sensor IQ, Trane, and Texas A&M University Energy Systems Laboratory to develop and test wireless technology for ensuring highly efficient building operation.
"Project Collaborators: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Southern California Edison, Hines GS Properties, Inc., Inovonics Wireless Corporation, NorthWrite Inc., Sensor IQ, Trane, and Texas A&M University Energy Systems Laboratory"1
Approach: Wireless controls research at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) includes four primary steps.
Adaptation and demonstration of existing wireless sensor technology—PNNL researchers are adapting, testing, and evaluating existing commercial wireless sensor technologies for heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) and other applications in commercial buildings. Wireless sensors have been used to monitor conditions in indoor spaces as well as in equipment to determine the equipment's operating status and condition.
Development and demonstration of wireless control technology—This activity focuses on extending the use of wireless technology in buildings from sensing only to providing control as well, which places additional cost and technical performance requirements on wireless systems. This step focuses on identifying components with the greatest potential for cost reduction and performance enhancement.
Technology improvements to target components—In this next stage, researchers work to reduce the cost of wireless technology for buildings by focusing on component improvements that will lower the cost and extend the lifetime of wireless sensing and control systems.
Technology deployment and market transformation activities—To accelerate the widespread deployment of wireless sensing and controls for buildings, DOE will:
- Work with strategic partners to test and demonstrate the technical and economic performance of enhanced wireless technology in actual commercial buildings
- Promote the use of wireless sensors and controls through the Federal Energy Management Program and state energy programs
- Work with professional and trade associations to develop standards and guidelines for testing, specifying, and installing wireless sensor and control systems
- Integrate wireless sensor/control technology with other energy efficiency technologies (e.g., automated diagnostics, optimized control)
Projects: Research is currently under way at PNNL in four project areas.
Wireless End-User Power MeteringAmbient Power Harvesting
Wireless Sensing and Control for HVAC Terminal Boxes
Low-Cost Wireless Monitoring and Control Infrastructure for Small Commercial Buildings
Information from earlier projects can be found here:
In-Building Wireless Condition MonitoringPackaged Rooftop HVAC Unit Monitoring
1U.S.Department of Energy, Buidling Technologies Program, Wireless Sensors and Control web site.