In this session, IoT devices for building applications are first defined and compared to IoT sensors. After briefly introducing the key features of smart thermostats, the discussion focuses on two examples of how IoT devices for commercial building application work: smart motors and smart valves. Smart motors are a motor system that consists of a high rotor switched reluctance motor (HR-SRM), motor controller, and remote monitoring kit. Smart motors save energy through more energy-efficient motors and the capability to convert constant-speed RTU to variable-speed RTU through intelligent motor speed control. Smart valves are pressure independent control valves (PICV) with on-board electronics that can accurately and stably control air handling unit (AHU) supply air temperature (SAT) via superior variable flow control. Field studies are included in both examples. At the end of the session, two other IoT devices are briefly discussed: smart pumps and smart vents.
Instructors
Xiaohui "Joe" Zhou, PhD, PE, CEM, Director of Research and Innovation, Slipstream Read Bio
Xiaohui "Joe" Zhou is a Director of Research and Innovation at Slipstream, headquartered in Madison, WI. Joe has 30+ years of experience in commercial building controls and his current areas of research focus on emerging technology field testing and verification. Before joining Slipstream, he worked for several organizations, including Iowa Energy Center and Johnson Controls. He served as principal investigator for multi-million-dollar R&D projects sponsored by U.S. DOE, DOD, DOC, ASHRAE, and utilities. Joe has been an active member of ASHRAE since 2002 and is an AEE-certified energy manager. Currently, he serves as the Research Chair of ASHRAE Technical Committee TC 7.5 Smart Building Systems and is also the Chair of the ASHRAE Standing Guideline Project Committee (SGPC) 36, High-Performance Sequences of Operation for HVAC Systems. He earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Zhejiang University (China), a master's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Connecticut, and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Iowa State University.
Scott Schuetter, PE, Principal Engineer, Slipstream Read Bio
Scott Schuetter is a Principal Engineer at Slipstream with 13 years' experience leading research projects that focus on emerging technology performance in the built environment. His commercial building experience encompasses field measurement and modeling of emerging technology performance for energy efficiency, electrification, load shift, load shed and continuous demand management. Scott manages projects, designs experiments, and conducts both theoretical and field research to analyze the applicability of new technologies to federal and state agencies and utility programs.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, attendees will be able to:
- Define IoT devices (for building applications);
- Compare IoT devices with IoT sensors;
- Explain how a smart thermostat and smart motor work;
- Illustrate how smart valves save energy;
- Highlight different types of IoT devices: smart pump, and smart vent.
