Kyle Anderson

User-Centered Nonintrusive Electricity Load Monitoring for Residential Buildings

This paper presents a nonintrusive electricity load-monitoring approach that provides feedback on the energy consumption and operational schedule of electrical appliances in a residential building. This approach utilizes simple algorithms for detecting and classifying electrical events on the basis of voltage and current measurements obtained at the main circuit panel of the home. To address the necessary training and calibration, this approach is designed around the end-user and relies on user input to continuously improve its performance. The algorithms and the user interaction processes are described in detail. Three data sets were collected with a prototype system (from a power strip in a laboratory, a house, and an apartment unit) to test the performance of the algorithms. The event detector achieved true positive and false positive rates of 94 and 0.26%, respectively. When combined with the classification task, the overall accuracy (correctly detected and classified events) was 82%. The advantages a...

Impact of Social Network Type and Structure on Modeling Normative Energy Use Behavior Interventions

AbstractOccupant behavior has a substantial impact on the total energy consumption in buildings. To reduce consumption much work has been done investigating behavioral energy-use interventions (e.g.,xa0feedback). Being able to accurately identify effective interventions for specific buildings or communities of buildings based on local conditions has significant implications for reducing energy consumption and demand in buildings. Therefore, recently researchers have begun developing predictive models of these behavioral interventions. However, limited consideration has been given to the importance that modeling assumptions (regarding social network type and structure) have in determining impact on intervention outcome. In this paper, an integrated model that combines established social-psychological principles of social influence and cultural norm diffusion with building social network profiles is developed and tested to examine the effect of social network type and structure on interventions. The writers a...

Energy Modeling System Using Building Information Modeling Open Standards

There is an urgent need in the architecture, engineering, and construction industries for new programs and methods of producing reliable energy simulations using building information modeling (BIM) technology. Current methods and programs for running energy simulations are not very timely, are difficult to understand, and lack high interoperability between BIM and energy simulation software. It is necessary to improve on these drawbacks as design decisions are often made without the aid of energy modeling leading to the design and construction of nonoptimized buildings with respect to energy efficiency. The goal of this research project is to develop a new methodology to produce energy estimates from a BIM model expeditiously and to improve interoperability between the simulation engine and BIM software. In the proposed methodology, the extracted information from a BIM model is compiled into an input file and run in a popular energy simulation program on an hourly basis for a desired period. The case applied in this paper showed that the application of this methodology can be used to quickly provide energy simulations from BIM models. With the aid of an easy-to-run and easily understood energy simulation methodology, designers will be able to make more energy conscious decisions during the design phase and as changes in design requirements arise. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000215.

A biomechanical evaluation of taping and bracing in reducing knee joint translation and rotation

We used five randomly selected cadaver specimens to evaluate the Anderson Knee Stabler and the Lenox Hill Knee Brace, individually and in combination with an anterior cruciate ligament protective tape method. Re duction of total laxity, as well as a defined pathologic anterior-posterior translation and internal-external ro tation, was tested after the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments of the specimens had been sec tioned. Displacements were produced pneumatically; loads were applied to the tibia with the knee in 50° of flexion. The tape and Lenox Hill Brace combination showed the greatest reduction in both anterior-posterior trans lation and internal-external rotation. The Lenox Hill Brace and the tape method used individually both re stricted anterior-posterior translation and internal-ex ternal rotation better than the Stabler Brace alone. This study provides objective evidence of the restraining capabilities of these protective systems that may prove to be beneficial in the clinical setting.

Conceptual Framework to Optimize Building Energy Consumption by Coupling Distributed Energy Simulation and Occupancy Models

AbstractIn this paper, a conceptual framework that couples energy modeling with occupancy characteristics and energy use data is developed and tested to achieve two main objectives: (1)xa0couple distinct and spatially distributed simulation models and synchronize their data exchange, and (2)xa0illustrate the coupled model behavior through a hypothetical case study example of a building. This conceptual framework is developed using a distributed computing environment based on the principles defined in the high-level architecture (HLA). Thus, individual simulation models and control interfaces developed for their own purpose, called federates, are composed and coupled together in an HLA-compliant federation that allows federates to continuously communicate with one another and exchange relevant information at each time step to achieve the global objective of reducing the building’s energy use. A case study example of a typical commercial building illustrates how the model coordinates data synchronization and tr...

Effect of social network type on building occupant energy use

The energy demands of buildings have been shown to vary considerably due to differences in occupant energy use behavior. In buildings, occupants are subject to social pressures and influences which help moderate what is and what is not acceptable behavior, including energy use behavior. This transmission of social influence and the creation of social norms occur through social networks. Recent research has examined changes in occupant energy use behavior due to social influence through social networks, but has done so considering only one network type at a time. Therefore, this study investigates the impact of network type on occupant energy use behavior and consumption. Agent-based modeling is applied to explore the effect of network type for two separate administrative actions on reducing energy consumption: increasing social connectivity and implementing environmental champions. Results indicate that social network type is not significant in determining mean energy use change, but is when considering the time required for the system to reach equilibrium, through convergence or grouping. Additionally, increasing social connectivity has undesired effects without the presence of environmental champions; however, with them, increasing social connectivity can significantly decrease the time required to realize energy savings and amplifies the reductions.

A Real Option Perspective to Value the Multi-Stage Construction of Rainwater Harvesting Systems Reusing Septic Tank

Recently, rainwater harvesting systems have received increased attention due to their capability for adapting to water scarcity and climate change. However, a key obstacle to the implementation of rainwater harvesting systems is that they are often not financially feasible given difficulty in determining optimal system size. A key premise of previous studies was that all rainwater harvesting systems are constructed in a single construction event even though it is possible to construct a system in multiple stages. This assumption limits managerial flexibility in the construction of rainwater harvesting systems, which is particularly valuable in scenarios where it is difficult to forecast future rainfall patterns. Therefore, we propose a multi-stage system expansion strategy for the implementation of rainwater harvesting systems using decommissioned septic tanks under scenarios of uncertainty in rainfall from a real option perspective as a means to improve the financial feasibility of implementing rainwater harvesting systems. We tested this strategy by evaluating a proposed rainwater harvesting system for a midsize apartment complex in Jeonju, South Korea. The multi-stage expansion strategy generated an option value of 9,896 USD. This study will help to improve the financial feasibility of rainwater harvesting systems by adding the value of managerial flexibility through a sequential expansion of RWH systems as new information becomes available.

Synthetic High-Density Lipoprotein (sHDL) Inhibits Steroid Production in HAC15 Adrenal Cells

High density lipoprotein (HDL) transported cholesterol represents one of the sources of substrate for adrenal steroid production. Synthetic HDL (sHDL) particles represent a new therapeutic option to reduce atherosclerotic plaque burden by increasing cholesterol efflux from macrophage cells. The effects of the sHDL particles on steroidogenic cells have not been explored. sHDL, specifically ETC-642, was studied in HAC15 adrenocortical cells. Cells were treated with sHDL, forskolin, 22R-hydroxycholesterol, or pregnenolone. Experiments included time and concentration response curves, followed by steroid assay. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR was used to study mRNA of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, lanosterol 14-α-methylase, cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme, and steroid acute regulatory protein. Cholesterol assay was performed using cell culture media and cell lipid extracts from a dose response experiment. sHDL significantly inhibited production of cortisol. Inhibition occurred in a concentration- and time-dependent manner and in a concentration range of 3μM-50μM. Forskolin (10μM) stimulated cortisol production was also inhibited. Incubation with 22R-hydroxycholesterol (10μM) and pregnenolone (10μM) increased cortisol production, which was unaffected by sHDL treatment. sHDL increased transcript levels for the rate-limiting cholesterol biosynthetic enzyme, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase. Extracellular cholesterol assayed in culture media showed a positive correlation with increasing concentration of sHDL, whereas intracellular cholesterol decreased after treatment with sHDL. The current study suggests that sHDL inhibits HAC15 adrenal cell steroid production by efflux of cholesterol, leading to an overall decrease in steroid production and an adaptive rise in adrenal cholesterol biosynthesis.

Modeling occupant energy use interventions in evolving social networks

Occupant behavior in buildings can contribute significantly to building energy demand and consumption. As a result, occupant behavior interventions to promote sustainability are becoming more widespread. Due to the expense in applying interventions, researchers have begun using computer simulations to analyze potential outcomes and better understand how complex systems can affect intervention success, in particular the effect of social network structure. In previous literature, studies have only evaluated social network effects using static social networks which are far from reality. Therefore, in this study we evaluate how a behavior intervention, here a comparative feedback system, is affected as social networks evolve over time using agent-based modeling. Results indicate that static social networks are much less volatile in their behavior and tend to have more convergent behavior relative to dynamic social networks. This implies that for normative interventions, dynamic networks have increased uncertainty in intervention outcome compared to static networks.

Exploration of the effect of workers' influence network on their absence behavior using agent-based modeling and simulation

Workers absence behavior is not only determined by individuals personal characteristics or situations, but also strongly affected by workgroup-level properties, such as social norms. This is because workers gather the how-to-behave information not only from formal rules, but also by interacting with their peers to obtain group and organizational approval. Despite the increasing attention being paid to the social control of workers absence behavior in organizations, to date relatively little work has been done studying the impact of workers influence networks, in which the social control takes place, on absence behavior. In this paper, we apply agent-based modeling and simulation (ABMS) to study the impact of workers influence networks on absence behavior. Our simulation results suggest that small social networks of workers could be more effective than big networks in reducing absenteeism when the social control is active.