Sriram Somasundaram

Screening analysis for EPACT-covered commercial HVAC and water-heating equipment

PNNL, under direction from DOE, conducted a screening analysis to determine the energy savings potential from the efficiency levels for commercial HVAC and water-heating equipment listed in Standard 90.1-1999, as well as the potential from several higher efficiency levels. We estimated the annual energy consumption for each type of equipment, at various efficiency levels, through engineering simulations for seven building types in 11 U.S. locations. We also conducted an economic analysis to identify the efficiency levels that would provide the highest value of economic benefits. From 2004 through 2030, the estimated national energy savings for the equipment meeting the Standard 90.1-1999 efficiency levels is about 3.8 exajoules (EJ) (3.6 quads). 1 The total estimated carbon emissions reduction is 52 MMtons.

Energy and Exergy Analysis of Gasifier-Based Coal-to-Fuel Systems

National energy security concerns related to liquid transportation fuels have revived interests in alternative liquid fuel sources. Coal-to-fuel technologies feature high efficiency energy conversion and environmental advantages. While a number of factors are driving coal-to-fuel projects forward, there are several barriers to wide commercialization of these technologies such as financial, construction, operation, and technical risks. The purpose of this study is to investigate the performance features of coal-to-fuel systems based on different gasification technologies. The target products are the Fischer-Tropsch synthetic crude and synthetic natural gas. Two types of entrained-flow gasifier-based coal-to-fuel systems are simulated and their performance features are discussed. One is a single-stage water quench cooling entrained ftow gasifier, and another one is a two-stage syngas cooling entrained-flow gasifier. The conservation of energy (first law of thermodynamics) and the quality of energy (second law of thermodynamics) for the systems are both investigated. The results of exergy analysis provide insights about the potential targets for technology improvement. The features of different gasifier-based coal-to-fuel systems are discussed. The results provide information about the research and development priorities in future.

Country Report on Building Energy Codes in Australia

This report is part of a series of reports on building energy efficiency codes in countries associated with the Asian Pacific Partnership (APP) - Australia, South Korea, Japan, China, India, and the United States of America (U.S.). This reports gives an overview of the development of building energy codes in Australia, including national energy policies related to building energy codes, history of building energy codes, recent national projects and activities to promote building energy codes. The report also provides a review of current building energy codes (such as building envelope, HVAC, and lighting) for commercial and residential buildings in Australia.

Screening Analysis for EPACT-Covered Commercial HVAC and Water-Heating Equipment

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) as amended by the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT) establishes that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) regulate efficiency levels of certain categories of commercial heating, cooling, and water-heating equipment. EPACT establishes the initial minimum efficiency levels for products falling under these categories, based on ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-1989 requirements. EPCA states that, if ASHRAE amends Standard 90.1-1989 efficiency levels, then DOE must establish an amended uniform national manufacturing standard at the minimum level specified in the amended Standard 90.1 and that it can establish higher efficiency levels if they would result in significant additional energy savings. 011Standard 90.1-1999 increases minimum efficiency levels for some of the equipment categories covered by EPCA 92. DOE conducted a screening analysis to determine the energy-savings potential for EPACT-covered products meet and exceeding these levels. This paper describes the methodology, data assumptions, and results of the analysis.