Analysis of Energy Management System Control Philosophies Utilizing Collected Field Data

Abstract

Small commercial and light industrial operations are turning to low-cost energy management controllers in efforts to reduce their electrical usage and demand. These controllers offer a variety of techniques to obtain this goal. To study the effects of these separate control philosophies, monitoring and control equipment has been installed in cooperating light commercial facilities. Individual loads are characterized by their demand contribution and run times. The load profiles and demand histograms for the facilities are used to analyze several energy control philosophies. The results from pre and post-control situations are presented using the collected field data.

It is found that facilities appearing similar may vary in load characteristics such that the same controlling philosophies may not produce the same savings. In general, the proper energy management philosophy depends not only on the operation and size of the facility, but also on characteristics of the individual loads which may be controlled. Comparative comments are made concerning scheduling control concepts and demand limiting philosophies. Specific recommendations are made regarding demand control techniques.