NUI Galway – UL Alliance First Annual ENGINEERING AND - ARAN ...

Web-Based Building Energy Usage Visualisation
Peter O’Neill
Hugh Melvin, Marcus Keane
oneill.peter@gmail.com
Abstract
The objective of this research is to develop a method
of visualising a building’s energy usage by combining
several existing technologies including the latest web
technologies. This method of visualisation should be
easily understandable, accessible and interactive. The
use of existing technologies means that it can be used in
standard environments and bridges the gap between
these technologies, bringing previously specialised
technologies to a wider audience. These factors
combine to create a tool, which will potentially lead to
increased energy efficiency and awareness.
1. Introduction
Energy efficiency is becoming more and more
important due to environmental and economic reasons.
Current Building Management Systems (BMS) can
often be difficult to understand and use. This often
leads to inefficient energy usage. Therefore, an easier,
more intuitive and more accessible way to visualise and
control this energy usage is needed.
An intuitive method of visualising this information
would be by using a 3D model of a building, showing
the energy usage in different zones. Building
Information Models (BIM) are a new technology used
in the Civil Engineering industry to design buildings in
3D. Part of this research is in developing ways to create
easily accessible and understandable 3D energy
visualisations based on these.
To do this, models will be displayed via webbrowsers
using the state of the art in 3D web-based
graphics, WebGL. This can be displayed in webbrowsers
without using plug-ins. Data from a BMS can
then be displayed on the model, to show energy usage
for each building zone.
2. Building Information Modelling
A Building Information Model (BIM) is a 3D model
of a building incorporating information about the
properties and attributes of individual parts of a
building. BIMs are a relatively new technology, though
usage is growing. It is the next logical step on from 2D
CAD (Computer Aided Design). It greatly increases the
cooperation of those involved in the design process and
the model can then be utilised and modified throughout
a building’s life cycle.
3. Building Management Systems (BMS)
Many modern buildings use these to control and
monitor buildings’ mechanical and electrical
equipment, such as heating, ventilation and air-
35
condition (HVAC), power, lighting, security etc. Their
proper use however often requires special training and
therefore their potential to be used to increase energy
efficiency often is under-utilised.
4. 3D Web Visualisation
The latest developments in web browser
technologies and standards, especially the introduction
of HTML5 and WebGL have opened the doors to the
potential uses of web browsers. Displaying 3D graphics
in a browser currently requires special plug-ins. Next
generation browsers, which incorporate WebGL
support, will no longer need these.
5. Prototype
A 3D web-based model of the new Nursing Library
Building in NUIG is currently being developed.
This building was chosen to be used for the
prototype because it already has a BMS up and running
and a BIM.
The separate zones that will need to be interacted
with will be saved as separate BIM ifc (Industry
Foundation Class) files and converted to COLLADA
(COLLAborative Design Activity) dae files. These can
then be reassembled to seem as one 3D model on a
webpage using WebGL; each zone can then be
interacted with independently.
Data from the BMS can then be fed directly into the
website database and displayed on the 3D model, which
can be used to monitor energy usage.
6. Potential of the System
The current potential of BMS to increase energy
efficiency often is under-utilised. Creating an easy to
understand and accessible visualisation of the energy
usage greatly increases the likelihood of improving
energy efficiency.
The use of web-based technologies in particular
means that energy usage data becomes far more
accessible. No longer will specialised software be
required to view it and it can be viewed remotely from
any device with an up to date web browser.
It also paves the way towards better integration of
existing technologies. For example, the possibility of
incorporating energy simulations into this architecture
and visualisation of simulated changes is also being
investigated.
In any event, the change in the key metric of
kWh/m 2 /year will be, in the long term, the criterion to
evaluate whether this technology can significantly help
increase a building’s energy efficiency.