Energy Signature Analytics

Web App

In the contemporary landscape, energy efficiency is not just an environmentally conscious choice but a fundamental aspect of strategic building management. This understanding led me to develop the Energy Signature Analytics Web App, a web-based tool created using R Shiny, designed to provide building owners and managers with a deep dive into their energy consumption patterns. This application combines utility bill data for electricity and natural gas to generate a suite of metrics and visualizations, giving users a comprehensive analysis of a building's energy signature.

One of the app's core features is the metrics it generates. For instance, the Electric Base Load gives insight into the energy consumed by plugs, servers, lighting, and ventilation fans. The Gas Base Load sheds light on the energy utilized for hot water, cooking, and heating. Additionally, the Load Slopes metric is particularly enlightening; a steeper slope indicates more energy is consumed per unit of temperature change, hinting at an inefficient envelope or heating/cooling system.

Moreover, the Heating and Cooling Balance Points are temperatures at which heating or cooling begins to happen, respectively. These points are crucial in understanding when a building starts to consume energy to either heat or cool itself. Similarly, metrics such as Heating and Cooling kBtu/SqFt per 15-degree Fahrenheit Temperature Change provide information on the energy used for heating and cooling, with larger numbers indicating higher energy consumption.

Visualizations play a vital role in understanding data. The app features a color-coded chart that shows different base loads, making it easy for users to visually distinguish and understand what is happening. A scatter plot of raw monthly kBtu data by monthly degree days helps users correlate energy consumption with temperature changes. The app also incorporates a table that lays out all the metrics and raw energy and temperature data. This data can be particularly useful for users who want to download and analyze it further.

In a broader perspective, the Energy Signature Analytics Web App is a stepping stone in a grander vision. I am currently working on merging this web app with another energy-focused project to create a comprehensive, robust tool for energy analytics. The combination of these tools will streamline the process of analyzing and interpreting building energy data, empowering users to make data-driven decisions that optimize energy consumption, reduce costs, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

By creating this web application, I aim to give building owners and managers the information they need at their fingertips. The Energy Signature Analytics Web App is more than just an analytical tool; it is an essential companion in the journey towards energy-efficient and sustainable building management.