STAGE - viSual daTa Acquisition for Gas mEter

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To reach the targets of the new climate law, the Swiss building stock must reduce its CO2-emissions by replacing old fossil fuel heating systems with heat pumps. Incorrect sizing of new heating components is a known issue and leads to inefficient behaviour of the new heat pump.This project will test a new device for the automated temporary optical read-out of existing gas meters in two existing buildings. The data collected will be processed by the device to get the sizing of the new heat pump. 1. Project idea descriptionIntroductionIn June 2023, Switzerland has approved a new law that seeks to accelerate the country’s shift from fossil fuels to renewable energies and reach zero emissions of CO2 by 2050. To achieve this ambitious goal, an immense effort will have to concern the energy renovation of the existing building stock. Buildings are, in fact, accountable for 26% of total CO2 emissions[1], because almost 60% of residential buildings in Switzerland are still heated with fossil fuels (heating oil and gas)[2].The switch (even without envelope retrofit), from fossil to renewable energy, can significantly reduce CO2-emissions of the building stock, and therefore needs to be increased to achieve the targets of the new climate law. Different heating systems are available on the market for the switch to renewable energy, but one of the most used technologies is the heat pump.The first step of exchanging a heating system is the dimensioning of the new heating components (heat pumps, storages and so on) based on the calculation of the heat load of the building. Here, an accurate determination of the maximum heat load of the building is important to avoid oversizing of the components and, as direct consequence, higher investment costs and inefficient behavior of the heat pump.Within this project, we will test in real buildings a new device for the automated data acquisition developed by the company originate[3]. The device, equipped with a camera, can take pictures of existing gas meters. These pictures are then automatically converted into measurement data, which is combined with weather information and data from the gas provider, and ultimately analyzed. This device, installable with low effort, allows to determine the heat load of the building based on the temporary measurement of the gas consumption of the building. Compared to similar devices already existing on the market, this device is distinguished by its simplicity of installation and data access. The primary goal of the project will be to investigate whether this device can aid in accurately sizing the new heating system in refurbished and not-refurbished residential buildings (focus on multifamily buildings). What problem would you like to solve?The current approaches for determining the heating load for old buildings are based on national standards (such as SIA 384.201 and SIA 384/1) or measurements with insufficient time resolution of existing heating system. However, these approaches have several drawbacks, including the high chance of overestimating the heat load of the building, high cost of installations, necessity of skilled worker, fluctuations in the measurements.This issue is already acknowledged in scientific literature, as evidenced by numerous studies. In the SFOE project "Immogap"[4], based on the examination of 65 apartments buildings, it was shown that 75% of the heating systems were oversized by between 10% and 60%.The oversizing of heating systems was corroborated in the SFOE project "OptiPower"[5] where more than 600 multi-family houses were analyzed. Most of the buildings demonstrated a noticeable oversizing. Furthermore, it was discovered that an additional oversizing exists in practice (i.e., oversizing from planned to installed). The median over dimensioning of heat pumps was 40%, with some systems reaching as high as 80% over dimensioning. The study also showed that, in general, oversizing has a negative impact on the performance of heat pumps.Through this device developed by originate, the estimation of the heat load of the building (and consequently the dimensioning of the new heat pump) would be quick, affordable, non-invasive and without the need for skilled on-site labor. Since the device measures the actual gas consumption of the building over a couple of weeks during heating season, the calculation of the heat load will be significantly more precise compared to standard calculation based on SIA norms (Energy Performance Gap, Real User Behavior etc.).Who are the customers and how will they profit from a solution?The main customers are building and energy consultants, heating system installers and building owners who will be involved in the next years in the expanding sector of energy refurbishment of buildings. Since 60% of the Swiss buildings are still heated with fossil fuels (i.e., oil or gas), the potential fuel-switch market in Switzerland is huge. Pragmatic (but in the meantime precise) approaches in this field will be needed, especially in the correct sizing of the new heating system. The overestimation of the thermal power of the new heating system (heat pumps in most of cases) may result in bigger space allocation, higher investment costs and in most of cases inefficient behavior of the heat pump (as shown in the project "OptiPower" mentioned above).Installers and designers could dimension the new heating components based on a more accurate measurement of the heat load of the actual building, but the primary beneficiaries would be the building owners, as they would face lower investment costs for the heating system switch and lower energy costs.How does your project idea affect energy savings of CO2 emissions?The suggested solution will aid installers and designers in properly designing the heat pumps and other important components of the new heat system. This project idea, therefore, will affect not only the investment costs and the space requirement of the new system, but also the efficiency of the new heat system and, as direct consequence, the CO2 emissions of the system. Furthermore, the gray CO2-Emissions are reduced by reducing the size of all required components. The proposed device would also have the benefit of making heat pumps a feasible option in buildings where they are typically not recommended due to high investment costs (such as limited space for boreholes, air-exchangers, etc.). 2. Current Status and previous activitiesWhat has been tried before? What was not successful? What have you learned?The development of the minimum viable product is mostly done, and test devices are currently mounted on two gas meters. The results look very promising and originate is targeting late September 2023 to be ready for shipping with the devices. The two biggest hurdles were finding a design that minimizes the chance of flash reflections and getting 2-3 months runtime on the battery. In the beginning the idea for the battery was a simple power-bank, after that something rechargeable, but after a couple of problems, originate decided, for the minimum viable product, to go with non-rechargeable lithium batteries.3. Resources neededWhat are your planned work packages?WP1: Selection of the buildings and installation of the deviceIn this first work package, SPF will find one/two Multi-Family-Houses (MFHs) in Switzerland that require a replacement of their current fuel-based heating system.After the buildings are chosen, originate will proceed with the installation of the device in each building. They will also undertake the necessary setup and configuration to enable the monitoring of gas consumption in both buildings. The devices collect the data independent of the local building infrastructure. WP2: Monitoring of the buildingsData collection during the wintertime will be conducted in the selected buildings. The collected data of gas consumption information will be transmitted to the data cloud. originate will perform the post-processing of the data to calculate the heating load of the buildings. WP3: Comparison of measurement data against general practice calculations In this work package, a comparison between the two dimensioning methods will be carried out. In the first step, SPF will conduct norm calculations for each building to determine the appropriate sizing of the new heat pump.In the second step, the analysis provided by originate, utilizing data from the device, will be used to size the heat pump. Ultimately, based on the comparison of the results obtained from both methods, the advantages and disadvantages of each approach will be documented. This analysis will provide valuable insights into the accuracy, efficiency, and practicality of the norm calculation method versus the utilization of real-time consumption data. WP4: Assessment of the report of originate In the final work package, the report generated by originate (based on the measurements, weather data and site parameters) will be reviewed together with SPF and improvements will be suggested. How can the Energy Lab help you?The Energy Lab can provide assistance in multiple ways. Initially, it can offer financial support for the project, thus aiding the research, development, and implementation stages of this research project. This financial assistance would be instrumental in ensuring the project's successful execution.Furthermore, by connecting us with other professionals and experts in the field, the Energy Lab can facilitate valuable partnerships and collaborations.Overall, the support provided by the Energy Lab through financial assistance, expertise, and networking would greatly benefit the progress and expansion of our research project.[1] FOEN – Federal Office for the Environment Greenhouse gas emissions from buildings[2] FSO – Federal Population Census, Buildings and dwellings statistics (Heating system and energy sources)[3] https://originate.ch/[4] https://www.aramis.admin.ch/Grunddaten/?ProjectID=38541[5] https://www.aramis.admin.ch/Texte/?ProjectID=48242

Project Idea Metadata

• Project Idea Name: STAGE - viSual daTa Acquisition for Gas mEter
• Date: 7/26/2023 10:15:04 AM
• Administrators:
  • Toni Calabrese

Project Idea Description

1. Project idea description

Introduction

In June 2023, Switzerland has approved a new law that seeks to accelerate the country’s shift from fossil fuels to renewable energies and reach zero emissions of CO₂ by 2050. To achieve this ambitious goal, an immense effort will have to concern the energy renovation of the existing building stock. Buildings are, in fact, accountable for 26% of total CO₂ emissions[1], because almost 60% of residential buildings in Switzerland are still heated with fossil fuels (heating oil and gas)[2].

The switch (even without envelope retrofit), from fossil to renewable energy, can significantly reduce CO₂-emissions of the building stock, and therefore needs to be increased to achieve the targets of the new climate law. Different heating systems are available on the market for the switch to renewable energy, but one of the most used technologies is the heat pump.

The first step of exchanging a heating system is the dimensioning of the new heating components (heat pumps, storages and so on) based on the calculation of the heat load of the building. Here, an accurate determination of the maximum heat load of the building is important to avoid oversizing of the components and, as direct consequence, higher investment costs and inefficient behavior of the heat pump.

Within this project, we will test in real buildings a new device for the automated data acquisition developed by the company originate[3]. The device, equipped with a camera, can take pictures of existing gas meters. These pictures are then automatically converted into measurement data, which is combined with weather information and data from the gas provider, and ultimately analyzed. This device, installable with low effort, allows to determine the heat load of the building based on the temporary measurement of the gas consumption of the building. Compared to similar devices already existing on the market, this device is distinguished by its simplicity of installation and data access. The primary goal of the project will be to investigate whether this device can aid in accurately sizing the new heating system in refurbished and not-refurbished residential buildings (focus on multifamily buildings).

What problem would you like to solve?

The current approaches for determining the heating load for old buildings are based on national standards (such as SIA 384.201 and SIA 384/1) or measurements with insufficient time resolution of existing heating system. However, these approaches have several drawbacks, including the high chance of overestimating the heat load of the building, high cost of installations, necessity of skilled worker, fluctuations in the measurements.

This issue is already acknowledged in scientific literature, as evidenced by numerous studies. In the SFOE project "Immogap"[4], based on the examination of 65 apartments buildings, it was shown that 75% of the heating systems were oversized by between 10% and 60%.

The oversizing of heating systems was corroborated in the SFOE project "OptiPower"[5] where more than 600 multi-family houses were analyzed. Most of the buildings demonstrated a noticeable oversizing. Furthermore, it was discovered that an additional oversizing exists in practice (i.e., oversizing from planned to installed). The median over dimensioning of heat pumps was 40%, with some systems reaching as high as 80% over dimensioning. The study also showed that, in general, oversizing has a negative impact on the performance of heat pumps.

Through this device developed by originate, the estimation of the heat load of the building (and consequently the dimensioning of the new heat pump) would be quick, affordable, non-invasive and without the need for skilled on-site labor. Since the device measures the actual gas consumption of the building over a couple of weeks during heating season, the calculation of the heat load will be significantly more precise compared to standard calculation based on SIA norms (Energy Performance Gap, Real User Behavior etc.).

Who are the customers and how will they profit from a solution?

The main customers are building and energy consultants, heating system installers and building owners who will be involved in the next years in the expanding sector of energy refurbishment of buildings. Since 60% of the Swiss buildings are still heated with fossil fuels (i.e., oil or gas), the potential fuel-switch market in Switzerland is huge. Pragmatic (but in the meantime precise) approaches in this field will be needed, especially in the correct sizing of the new heating system. The overestimation of the thermal power of the new heating system (heat pumps in most of cases) may result in bigger space allocation, higher investment costs and in most of cases inefficient behavior of the heat pump (as shown in the project "OptiPower" mentioned above).

Installers and designers could dimension the new heating components based on a more accurate measurement of the heat load of the actual building, but the primary beneficiaries would be the building owners, as they would face lower investment costs for the heating system switch and lower energy costs.

How does your project idea affect energy savings of CO₂ emissions?

The suggested solution will aid installers and designers in properly designing the heat pumps and other important components of the new heat system. This project idea, therefore, will affect not only the investment costs and the space requirement of the new system, but also the efficiency of the new heat system and, as direct consequence, the CO₂ emissions of the system. Furthermore, the gray CO₂-Emissions are reduced by reducing the size of all required components. The proposed device would also have the benefit of making heat pumps a feasible option in buildings where they are typically not recommended due to high investment costs (such as limited space for boreholes, air-exchangers, etc.).

2. Current Status and previous activities

What has been tried before? What was not successful? What have you learned?

The development of the minimum viable product is mostly done, and test devices are currently mounted on two gas meters. The results look very promising and originate is targeting late September 2023 to be ready for shipping with the devices. The two biggest hurdles were finding a design that minimizes the chance of flash reflections and getting 2-3 months runtime on the battery. In the beginning the idea for the battery was a simple power-bank, after that something rechargeable, but after a couple of problems, originate decided, for the minimum viable product, to go with non-rechargeable lithium batteries.

3. Resources needed

What are your planned work packages?

WP1: Selection of the buildings and installation of the device

In this first work package, SPF will find one/two Multi-Family-Houses (MFHs) in Switzerland that require a replacement of their current fuel-based heating system.

After the buildings are chosen, originate will proceed with the installation of the device in each building. They will also undertake the necessary setup and configuration to enable the monitoring of gas consumption in both buildings. The devices collect the data independent of the local building infrastructure.

WP2: Monitoring of the buildings

Data collection during the wintertime will be conducted in the selected buildings. The collected data of gas consumption information will be transmitted to the data cloud. originate will perform the post-processing of the data to calculate the heating load of the buildings.

WP3: Comparison of measurement data against general practice calculations

In this work package, a comparison between the two dimensioning methods will be carried out. In the first step, SPF will conduct norm calculations for each building to determine the appropriate sizing of the new heat pump.

In the second step, the analysis provided by originate, utilizing data from the device, will be used to size the heat pump.

Ultimately, based on the comparison of the results obtained from both methods, the advantages and disadvantages of each approach will be documented. This analysis will provide valuable insights into the accuracy, efficiency, and practicality of the norm calculation method versus the utilization of real-time consumption data.

WP4: Assessment of the report of originate

In the final work package, the report generated by originate (based on the measurements, weather data and site parameters) will be reviewed together with SPF and improvements will be suggested.

How can the Energy Lab help you?

The Energy Lab can provide assistance in multiple ways. Initially, it can offer financial support for the project, thus aiding the research, development, and implementation stages of this research project. This financial assistance would be instrumental in ensuring the project's successful execution.

Furthermore, by connecting us with other professionals and experts in the field, the Energy Lab can facilitate valuable partnerships and collaborations.

Overall, the support provided by the Energy Lab through financial assistance, expertise, and networking would greatly benefit the progress and expansion of our research project.

[1] FOEN – Federal Office for the Environment Greenhouse gas emissions from buildings

[2] FSO – Federal Population Census, Buildings and dwellings statistics (Heating system and energy sources)

[3] https://originate.ch/

[4] https://www.aramis.admin.ch/Grunddaten/?ProjectID=38541

[5] https://www.aramis.admin.ch/Texte/?ProjectID=48242

To reach the targets of the new climate law, the Swiss building stock must reduce its CO₂-emissions by replacing old fossil fuel heating systems with heat pumps. Incorrect sizing of new heating components is a known issue and leads to inefficient behaviour of the new heat pump.

This project will test a new device for the automated temporary optical read-out of existing gas meters in two existing buildings. The data collected will be processed by the device to get the sizing of the new heat pump.