Summary

Objectives

The CEC-funded effort has had three main objectives: (1) to augment the CBE education products being produced under the NSF grant, and (2) to add energy capabilities to the existing computer-based education (CBE) tool being developed, and (3) to extend its use to a wider range of building industry audiences in California (e.g., building operators, engineers, architects, 4-year engineering schools, etc) while improving the use of the CBE tool for community college audiences.

Key new CEC-funded software features include:

  1. Adding energy and peak demand models to existing SPARK HVAC component models for a typical air-handling unit (AHU).
  2. Adding EnergyPlus to the CBE tool to integrate annual, monthly, and diurnal energy impacts to the existing short term (second-by-second) dynamic system operations focus of the existing SPARK component models.
  3. Developing new component models for boiler, chiller, cooling tower to the existing set of component models for AHU components.
  4. Developing new CBE scenarios that integrate the new and existing CBE features.

These additions enhance the capabilities of the existing CBE tool and allow the tool to be more in line with CEC’s core energy mission.

Background and Previous Versions

Learn HVAC is a third-generation computer-based education (CBE) tool that is built upon earlier first and second generation tools:

First Generation HVAC CBE Tool (1994-1999 and 2001)

The first generation HVAC CBE tool is HVAC Energy Primer (aka Energy Trainer). This was first developed during 1994-1999 as a CD-based product. It was funded by US DOD, US DOE, and US EPA, and was developed in Adobe Authorware as an interactive multimedia CBE tool by a team of The Deringer Group (TDG), CTG, and others. The software IP is shared by TDG and CTG.

HVAC EP was intended to provide an interactive version of the HVAC portion of the US FEMP Energy Manager’s training manual. HVAC EP contains 4 hours of energy efficiency technical content that span a number of topics. In addition it contains a Problem-Based Case Study exercise that allows users to improve the performance of an existing HVAC system with 8 faults.

In 2001, TDG modified to software to permit it to be accessed on the Internet as a web-based product. This has been available at no charge at www.ecoadvisor.org since 2001.

Second Generation HVAC CBE Tool (2004-2008)

HVAC ePrimer is the second generation of this set of HVAC CBE tools. This version was developed during 2004-2008 in two parts intended primarily as part of community college HVAC technician training programs and curriculum development. One part of HVAC ePrimer is downloadable package that runs locally on a MS Windows operating system and is intended for use by students and student teams. It uses 3D animations of accurate simulations to teach HVAC technician students how to better operate, maintain and troubleshoot increasingly complex, digitized HVAC systems and controls in buildings.

The HVAC ePrimer software is using the latest technical education approaches being promoted by the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program.

Major funding was provided via a 3-year NSF grant that was extended to a 4-year period (without additional funding). The Peralta College District (Laney College) in Oakland also provided $25,000 in funding and The Deringer Group provided in-kind funding of close to $75,000.

Third Generation HVAC CBE Tool (2007+)

Learn HVAC is the third generation of this set of HVAC CBE tools.This version is being developed via two-year CEC funding starting in late July 2007.

Learn HVAC has the following new features that were not in HVAC ePrimer:

  • Builds upon several key aspects of the software already developed under the NSF-funded Laney-LBNL-TDG project described above.
  • Has the same component models, second-by-second SPARK simulation capabilities, general animation views and sequences, and web-based builds upon.
  • Adds energy and peak demand.
  • Adds EnergyPlus analysis.
  • Uses a new, much more robust software development platform (Adobe Flex), new interactive multimedia software (Flash 9), new charting controls included within Flex Professional.
  • Provides a much more flexible Graphic User interface, with multiple and movable popup windows that can adapt to user screens of varying resolution.
  • Can store and retrieve of input and results files, thus permitting performance and energy comparisons to be made of initial and revised conditions.

Current Status

To date, all of the features just mentioned above have been implemented in draft form. In addition, draft versions have been developed for the first three energy-specific products listed above, namely:

  • Adding energy and peak demand models.
  • Adding EnergyPlus to the CBE tool
  • Developing new component models for boiler, chiller, cooling tower

Drafts of all four products should be available for review by the end of calendar year 2008.