1997–1998 Annual Report

EPRIHVAC&R Center

Thermal StorageApplicationsResearch Center

EPRI-sponsored Research Centersat the University of Wisconsin–MadisonCollege of Engineering

The HVAC&R Center and TSARCEPRI-sponsored Technology Centers atThe University of Wisconsin–MadisonCollege of Engineering949 East Washington Avenue, Suite 2Madison, WI 53703-2937

800-858-3774

Fax: 608-262-6209

http://www.engr.wisc.edu/centers/hvac

e-mail: hvacr-center@macc.wisc.edu

A Message From the Director

In my opinion, change is the best word that characterized the utility industry during1997–1998. Since 1994, the likelihood of electric utility deregulation in the U.S. becameincreasingly certain. In 1997–1998, the utility industry rapidly continued down a path towardderegulation, bringing uncertainty to the industry that continues today. The rapid rate of changein the electric utility industry also brought uncertainty that continues today.

Change is also an appropriate word to describe the HVAC&R Center during 1997–1998. Most ofthe changes within the Center relate to staffing. In June 1997, Dr. Todd Jekel joined the Centerstaff as a Research Scientist. Prior to joining the Center, Dr. Jekel’s primary expertise was in thearea of desiccant systems and simulation methods. After nearly 15 years in private consultingpractice, James Elleson joined the Center as the Director of Technical Services in August 1998.Jim has considerable expertise in thermal energy storage, energy auditing, efficient air condi-tioning technologies, and district systems. Jim and Todd have come on board quickly and alreadyhave made significant contributions to Center projects. We were truly fortunate to land suchtalent! After replacing Chuck Dorgan, the founding director of the Center, Bruce Lindsay electedto join EPRI staff as a Project Manager in April 1998. Upon Bruce’s departure, I agreed to directthe Center on an interim basis. Change is never easy to face, but change creates opportunities.Our experience confirms this.

During 1997–1998, the Center completed several projects that delivered significant results tosupporting clients. Several projects focused on helping end-users identify techniques to improvetheir energy efficiency. Other projects focused on improving system designs. In 1998, the Centerwas awarded an ASHRAE research project (RP-991) to evaluate the source energy requirementsand emissions attributable to the operation of various space-conditioning system technologies.Stay tuned for results. We expect to complete the project in 1999. Finally, several projects listedin the Research category involve the Center’s oversight of mechanical and chemical engineeringgraduate students in the Solar Energy Laboratory. This collaboration has been mutually benefi-cial. You can expect to see us work more closely in the future.

In May 1998, the Center began the development of a formal strategic plan. We are currentlyimplementing our strategic plan and establishing new client collaboration opportunities. Aboveall, we will retain our commitment to the delivery of quality and timely technical services,research, and technology transfer.

Please browse our annual report and discover the breadth and depth of accomplishment. If youwould like more information on a specific project, feel free to contact us at any time.

We look forward to serving you in the future.

Doug ReindlDirector, HVAC&R Center

Change/verb/ a. to make different insome particular; b. to give a differentposition, course

Energy Efficiency Opportunitiesin Food Processing

Facility: Large BakeryLocation: Upstate New YorkSponsor: New York Power

AuthorityStatus: Complete

The HVAC&R Center, in associa-tion with the New York PowerAuthority, conducted an investiga-tion to identify energy savingopportunities at one of the largestproducers of doughnuts in the U. S.The project focused on identifyingplant-related improvements andmodifications that would enhancethe competitiveness of the bakery.The project evaluated the energyefficiency of bakery operations fromplant ventilation to product freezingsystems using ammonia refrigera-tion. The investigators analyzed gasand electric energy costs as well asenergy use. The outcome of theproject was a detailed report thatprovided specific recommendationson a number of options to improvethe bakery’s energy efficiency andproductivity and decrease mainte-nance costs.

Engineering and Technical ServicesThe Center performed a number of projects in the arena of engineering and technical services.The following summaries describe projects undertaken during 1997 and 1998.

A Feasibility Study to AssessSpace-Conditioning Options forCorporate Offices

Facility: InternationalHeadquarters

Location: Bloomington, ILSponsors: Illinois Power,

EPRI, andCorporate Partner

Status: In Progress

The HVAC&R Center, in associa-tion with Illinois Power, exploredoptions to address space condition-ing issues facing today’s corporateoffice customers. The projectobjective was to identify opportuni-ties that will allow the customer toreduce their operating costs associ-ated with space conditioning, whilemaintaining or improving occupantcomfort. The investigators used theworld headquarters of a largeinsurance company as a case study.Specifically, the project explored theviability and cost effectiveness ofoptimizing the existing space-conditioning system throughequipment upgrades, systemmodifications, or control strategychanges. The HVAC&R Centerdeveloped recommendations thatincluded continuing to convert tohigh-efficiency lighting, optimizingair distribution system setpoints,improving chilled water flowcontrol, and using cooling towerswith a plate-frame heat exchangerfor free cooling.

Campus District Cooling withThermal Storage

Facility: Illinois State UniversityLocation: Bloomington, ILSponsors: Illinois Power, EPRI, and

Illinois State UniversityStatus: Phase I Complete, Phase

II Pending

The HVAC&R Center collaboratedwith Elleson Engineering, DorganAssociates, and Delta Research toconduct a feasibility study forIllinois State University as part oftheir master planning. The scope ofthe project included the develop-ment of a central plant conceptualdesign, plant layout, district pipinglayout, building interface alterna-tives, capital cost estimates, andoperating cost estimates. The studyevaluated four system alternatives:direct-chilling, direct-chilling withstratified chilled water storage,direct-chilling with ice storage, andgas cooling technologies. The studyconsidered several conceptualdesign alternatives, includingdistributed chilling plants withtotal capacities from 5,300 to 7,500tons and thermal storage alterna-tives that ranged from a 6,800 ton-hr ice storage system to an 18,500ton-hr stratified chilled waterstorage system. A unique feature ofthe study was a comparativeeconomic assessment of plantalternatives operating under bothtime-of-use and real-time pricingrate structures.

Engineering and Technical Services

Design Support, TechnicalAssistance, and Commissioning

Facility: Field MuseumLocation: Chicago, ILSponsors: Field Museum, Common-

wealth Edison, and CathAssociates

Status: In Progress

The internationally recognizedField Museum of Natural Historyis undergoing a central plantrenovation. The new central plantis part of a program of capitalprojects that will bring the onemillion-square-foot facility into the21st century. A key feature of thenew central plant is a 14,000 ton-hrthermal storage system using iceslurry as a storage medium. As amember of a commissioning teamwith Dorgan Associates, theHVAC&R Center is providingtechnical review, support, andassistance on all aspects of thecentral plant design, including theice storage system. The Center isalso providing support for develop-ment of storage operating strategiesand review of the custom engi-neered refrigeration plant for iceslurry generation.

Engineering Evaluation of aDistrict Cooling System withThermal Storage

Facility: Bayfront District CoolingSystem

Location: Corpus Christi, TXSponsors: Central Power & Light,

EPRI, and City of CorpusChristi

Status: In Progress

The Bayfront District CoolingSystem provides chilled water to aconvention center and four otherbuildings in the downtown area ofCorpus Christi. Recently a numberof operation and maintenanceproblems have arisen, includingseveral major chiller failures. TheHVAC&R Center is evaluating the

design and operation of the systemand providing recommendations forimprovement.

HVAC&R Center staff visited thesite, met with plant operatingpersonnel and staff from thebuildings served by the system, andgathered data under various normaland simulated operating conditions.This information, along with designdocumentation and historical trenddata collected from the automaticcontrol system, is being used toidentify the causes of the apparentperformance shortcomings andoperational difficulties. A finalreport that documents the resultsof the evaluation and providesspecific recommendations formanaging and operating the systemto improve performance and effi-ciency will be prepared.

Center staff members Bob Gansler (left) and Jim Ellesoncollect field data at a large commercial office building.

testing of the cool storage near-optimal controller. The near-optimal controller was conceivedand initially researched by aJohnson Controls’ staff memberwhile pursuing an advanced degreeat Purdue University. As thecontroller moved from the researchphase to field testing, the HVAC&RCenter participated in productdevelopment meetings, field testdevelopment and evaluation plans,and identification of applications forproduct beta testing. Beta test sitesincluded the Kenosha Public SchoolDistrict headquarters building andthe Core States Center–home to thePhiladelphia 76ers and Flyers.

Industrial Applicationsof Slippery Ice

Facility: Terry FarmsLocation: Auburn, ALSponsor: EPRIStatus: In Progress

Terry Farms constructed theworld’s first morel mushroom farmin Auburn, Alabama. The coolingplant for the facility consisted of an80-ton falling-film ice slurry system.The HVAC&R Center provided icestorage system design assistanceand developed detailed instrumen-tation and monitoring plans andspecifications.

Commercial Building EnergyEfficiency Standards

Facility: All commercial officefacilities

Location: USASponsors: EPRI, AEP, Ameren,

Commonwealth Edison,CSW, Duke Power, FirstEnergy, GPU, ReliantEnergy, OG&E, OttertailPower, PECO, SouthernCompany and TVA

Status: In Progress

The HVAC&R Center is providingtechnical review and analysis ofproposed revisions to ASHRAEStandard 90. 1-1989, EnergyEfficient Design of New BuildingsExcept Low-Rise Residential Build-ings. As part of this review, Centerstaff used TRNSYS computermodels to simulate the energyperformance of retail and officebuildings in four representative

Engineering and Technical Services

climates. The model also examinedthe relative operating costs for fivedifferent types of equipment usingthe proposed minimum efficiencyrequirements. The Center’s analysiscontributed to the successful effortto revise the proposed envelopeinsulation requirements. Additionalanalysis is being performed asissues arise.

Cool Storage Near-OptimalController

Facility: Kenosha Public SchoolDistrict Headquarters andCore States Center

Location: Kenosha, WI andPhiladelphia, PA

Sponsors: EPRI and JohnsonControls

Status: Complete

The HVAC&R Center collaboratedon the development and field

Whether it’s in the field or in the conference room, Center staff routinelyexceeds our clients’ expectations.

Additional Engineering Evaluations and System AssessmentsHVAC&R Center staff and consultants completed a number of technical reviews of mechanical systems andfacilities for customers of several member utilities. These reviews typically included a walk-through evaluation,an analysis of information collected, and a report to the customer presenting findings and recommendations.The Center provided engineering evaluations for the following facilities:

Hardin-Simmons University, TXEvaluated campus central plantand four buildings with significantindoor air quality and occupantcomfort complaints. Sponsor:Central and South West.

USAA, San Antonio, TXIdentified opportunities for imple-menting energy efficient space-conditioning technologieson a 5 million square-foot campus.Sponsor: City Public Service–San Antonio.

Simmons Poultry,McAlester, OKIdentified options for cost-effectivelyrecovering heat from the plant’srefrigeration system. Outlined basicoperating strategies should thecustomer elect to choose a real-timepricing rate tariff. Sponsor: PublicService Company of Oklahoma.

Six Points Plaza,Corpus Christi, TXEvaluated the feasibility of chillerplant alternatives. Provided recom-mendations for upgrading thechiller plant based on capital costs,energy costs, water costs, andmaintenance costs. Sponsor:Central Power and Light Company.

Bernardi Frozen Foods, Inc.,Toluca, ILProvided recommendations toupgrade and modify the facility toimprove product throughput andquality and to reduce operationand maintenance costs. Sponsor:Commonwealth Edison.

Jackson County Hospital,Scottsboro, ALIdentified opportunities to improveoperations and reduce energy costs.High-level estimates of energysavings yielded attractive returnson investment for the owner of thishealthcare facility. Sponsor: Ten-nessee Valley Authority.

Decatur Airport, Decatur, ILIdentified opportunities for improv-ing the energy efficiency of theconcourse and hangar facilities.Provided recommendations toaddress comfort and indoor airquality problems in portions of theconcourse. Sponsors: Illinois Powerand EPRI.

Engineering and Technical Services

Mid America Airport,Southern ILPerformed a design review ofmechanical systems for this newlydesigned airport outside of the St.Louis area. Identified errors in themechanical system design andspecifications. Provided additionalsuggestions to improve the opera-tion and energy efficiency of theproposed mechanical systems.Sponsors: Illinois Power and EPRI.

Eight healthcare facilities ingreater St. Louis, MOCompared chiller installation,retrofit, and replacement options foreach facility. Identified most cost-effective options. Sponsor: UnionElectric (Ameren).

As our mission statement indicates, the Center continues to work toward understandingand improving the indoor environment and occupant comfort.

Research ProjectsThe Center initiated, conducted, and completed a number of research projects during 1997 and 1998.Several of the research projects were thesis topics for master and doctoral candidates in the Department ofMechanical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin. These graduate student projects were supervised byHVAC&R Center Director Doug Reindl, in collaboration with other mechanical engineering professors, includ-ing Sanford Klein, John Mitchell, William Beckman, and Doug Reinemann.

Simulation of Source EnergyUtilization and Emissionsfor HVAC Systems (ASHRAEResearch Project RP-991)

Sponsor: American Society ofHeating, Refrigeration, andAir-Conditioning Engineers

Status: In Progress

The HVAC&R Center is investigat-ing the source energy requirementsand emissions attributable tovarious space-conditioning systemsserving cooling loads in prototypicalcommercial office buildings andschools. The hourly electric and gasrequirements for each space-conditioning technology studiedwere traced back to the point wherefuel is extracted from the earth (i.e.,the source). The generation mixesand dispatch schedules from twodifferent utilities were used toassess the source energy require-ments and emissions associatedwith electrical usage. The analysisconsidered a number of space-conditioning technologies, includingelectric chillers, chilled waterstorage, ice storage, cold air distri-bution, and absorption chilling.Preliminary results from the studyshow that thermal energy storagesystems had lower source energyrequirements and resulting emis-sions compared to a base case of anelectric direct chilling system.

Electrical Demand Reduction inRefrigerated Warehouses

Sponsors: Alliant Energy, University-Industry Relations, and aWisconsin warehouse

Status: Complete

Graduate student Joy Altwies, withfaculty advisors Reindl and Klein,conducted a scoping study ofdemand-shifting techniques asapplied to refrigerated warehouses.Refrigerated warehouses tradition-ally utilize large built-up industrialsystems to cool stored products.The refrigeration systems operateon demand throughout the daytime.Their highest demand usuallyoccurs coincidentally with theelectric utilities’ peak demand. Theinvestigation explored the potentialof utilizing stored product asthermal mass to shift refrigerationloads from on-peak to off-peakperiods. The techniques developedwere tested on a pilot scale at a low-temperature warehouse. Consider-able energy cost savings wereachievable with minimal facilityupgrades and no degradation ofstored products.

Impacts of ASHRAE Standard62-89 Requirements onCommercial Buildings

Sponsor: ConfidentialStatus: Complete

The objective of this study was toprovide a market segment-orientedanalysis of the impacts of ASHRAEStandard 62-89, Ventilation forAcceptable Indoor Air Quality, onindoor air quality, energy, anddemand. The report discussesspecific market segments andtechnologies that are affected bythe standard and how the standardimpacts facilities in these targetedmarket segments. The report alsodiscusses the overall impacts ofStandard 62-89’s increased ventila-tion requirements on HVACequipment capacity, energy use,and operating cost. Additionally,the report presents a qualitativeassessment of commerciallyavailable alternative electro-technologies to mitigate the impactsof the standard.

Research Projects

ESPRE Analysis ofManufactured Housing

Sponsor: ConsolidatedTechnologies

Status: Complete

The HVAC&R Center analyzedseveral manufactured housing unitsin nine states for ConsolidatedTechnologies, the manufacturer ofthe Insider heat pump. Centerstaff used the EPRI softwareprogram ESPRE to model theenergy consumption required toheat homes equipped with heatpumps and electric resistanceheating. The simulation analysisshowed that the heat pumps metmore than 90 percent of the heatingloads in all of the models.

Energy Efficient Schools

Sponsors: Tennessee ValleyAuthority and EPRI

Status: Complete

The objective of this project was tocreate dynamic, easy-to-use modelsthat will allow utilities to quicklyand accurately compare the energyperformance of school-buildingHVAC systems. The HVAC&RCenter used the PowerDOETM

simulation program to create thesemodels. The project developed aknowledge base that improves theability of EPRI and the TennesseeValley Authority to provide infor-mation and service to their educa-tion customers and to leverage theirinfluence through the architect andengineer community.

Automated Generationof Hourly Design Sequences(ASHRAE Research ProjectRP962)

Sponsor: American Society ofHeating, Refrigeration, andAir-Conditioning Engineers

Status: Complete

Graduate student David Schmitt,with faculty advisors Klein andReindl, investigated techniquesto synthetically generate realisticsequences of extreme weatherconditions. These extreme weathersequences are essential for sizingand evaluating the energy perfor-mance of HVAC equipment andbuilding envelopes. ASHRAEhas used the findings from thisresearch project to producea computer program, Extremes,which generates extreme weathersequences for nearly 400 sitesworldwide.

Investigation of the FieldPerformance of IndustrialRefrigeration Systems

Sponsors: Energy Center ofWisconsin, withcooperation from MG&Eand the City of Madison

Status: Complete

Graduate student Kyle Brownell,with faculty advisors Klein andReindl, investigated the efficacy ofprocesses followed by industry inthe design, specification, construc-tion, and operation of field-erectedrefrigeration systems. The projectfeatured the instrumentation andmonitoring of a refrigeration systemserving a local municipal ice arena.Although the system was less thantwo years old, the investigatorsfound a number of unrecognizedsystem malfunctions that translat-ed into increased operating costsand reduced system capacity.Recommendations were developedto include basic instrumentation torecognize and correct systemmalfunctions as they occur. Inaddition, the investigators devel-oped simple modifications to thesystem’s control yielding a 20percent savings in energy cost.

Process Energy EfficiencyImprovement in WisconsinCheese Plants

Sponsor: Energy Center ofWisconsin

Status: Complete

Graduate student Steven Zehr, withfaculty advisors Mitchell, Reindl,and Reinemann investigatedopportunities for improving processenergy efficiency in cheese plants.Significant opportunities forreduction of utility usage wereidentified in cheese processingoperations that utilize spray dryingand evaporation concentrationsystems. While cheese plants werethe focal point of the research, theproject also considered broaderapplications of heat pumps in foodprocessing.

Cost-Effective Techniques forLong-Term Preservation ofStored Grains

Sponsors: Alliant Energy andUniversity-IndustryRelations

Status: In Progress

Graduate student Florian Kuhnke,with faculty advisors Reindl andKlein, is exploring techniques toimprove the quality of grains storedover long time periods. The projectis considering methods that includedemand-controlled grain ventilationand refrigeration for simultaneouspest and quality control. Models ofgrain beds are in development andeconomic analyses are underway.

Environmental ControlRequirements for Museumsand Archives

Sponsors: Field Museum and CathAssociates

Status: In Progress

Graduate student Janeen Ault, withfaculty advisors Reindl and Kleinand a team of experts from theField Museum and Cath Associates,is investigating requirements forenvironmental control in museumsand archives.

Virus Transmission and Controlin Indoor Environments

Sponsor: UW Graduate SchoolStatus: In Progress

Graduate student Mohamed El-Morsi, with faculty advisors Reindland Klein, is investigating a noveltechnique that has the potential ofsimultaneously sanitizing andconditioning a process air stream.The ultimate goal of this project isto develop methods and approachesthat can “cure buildings of thecommon cold.”

One of the greatest challenges is providing an indoor environmentthat will be suitable for occupants without compromising artifacts.

Research Projects

Design Alternatives to Improvethe Energy Efficiency ofResidential Refrigerators

Sponsors: Sub-Zero FreezerCompany and University-Industry Relations

Status: In Progress

In response to increasingly strin-gent energy standards beingimposed by DOE, graduate studentAndre Gan, with faculty advisorsKlein and Reindl, is investigatingmethods for improving the energyefficiency of domestic refrigerators.

Applications of Fuel CellTechnologies for DistributedGeneration

Sponsors: Energy Center ofWisconsin, ASHRAE, LinkFoundation

Status: In Progress

Graduate student Robert Braun,with faculty advisors Klein andReindl, is developing and evaluatingmethodologies for analyzing anddesigning systems that utilize fuelcell technologies for distributedgeneration. Of particular interest isthe integration and operation of theelectrical generation device (fuelcell) with ancillary systems that canmeet other requirements of facilitiessuch as space heating, domestic hotwater heating, and cooling.

Methods of Demand-Shifting forCold Storage Warehouses

Sponsor: HVAC&R CenterStatus: In Progress

Graduate student and HVAC&RCenter researcher Daniel Dettmers,with faculty advisors Reindl andKlein, is developing and formalizinga methodology to evaluate thepotential of demand-shifting usingproduct thermal mass for refrigerat-ed warehouses.

Rating of Domestic RefrigeratorCompressors (ASHRAE RP-870)

Sponsor: American Society ofHeating, Refrigerating, andAir-Conditioning Engineers

Status: In Progress

Graduate student Dagmar Jähnig,with faculty advisors Klein andReindl, is establishing a new ratingpoint for domestic refrigeratorcompressors. In addition, thisproject considers the formulation ofsemi-empirical models that canreliably characterize and extrapo-late compressor performance (i.e.,compressor maps).

Professors Reindl (left) and Klein (right) and Sub-Zero Engineering Director Paul Sikir (center)discuss measures that enhance the energy performance of domestic refrigerator products.

Photo by Jay Salvo

Research Projects

Technology TransferThroughout 1997 and 1998, the Center maintained a strong commitment to technology transfer. The Centerdeveloped a number of technical papers and special publications and delivered hot-line support to EPRI-member utilities. In addition, Center staff conducted 18 seminars and workshops and gave presentations orotherwise participated in more than 50 other conferences and workshops.

■ Papers and Special Publications

Residential Space-Conditioning SystemSelection Guide

Sponsor: EPRIStatus: In Progress

The HVAC&R Center teamed with Energy Internation-al to develop a space-conditioning system selectionguide targeted at the mass market. The guide is aunique Windows -based tool that provides a wealth ofinformation for utility representatives who assistresidential customers. The guide covers all aspects ofspace-conditioning systems commonly applied inresidential installations. Its capabilities include systemdescriptions, photos and diagrams, manufacturers’product information, and answers to frequently askedquestions. The guide also allows users to estimate theenergy performance and costs of various types of space-conditioning systems.

Thermal Energy Storage Technology Guide

Sponsor: EPRIStatus: In Progress

The HVAC&R Center teamed with Dorgan Associatesto develop a new thermal storage guidebook. TheThermal Energy Storage Technology Guide is the firstin a two-part series that is intended to provide compre-hensive guidance on the latest thermal storage technol-ogies and their application.

Technology Reports

Sponsor: ConfidentialStatus: Complete

The HVAC&R Center produced a series of brieftechnology reports on innovative technologies forsmall commercial applications. The briefs, whichwere condensed from more detailed technical reports,include:

• Heat Pipe Enhanced Dual-Fuel Heat Pumps

• Analysis of Electric and Gas Fryers

• Wendy’s Innovative Restaurant Project

• Triathlon Natural Gas Engine HeatPump Evaluation

• Laundry Heat Pump Water Heater

• Heat Pipes for Supermarket Humidity Control

Ice Slurry Technology Evaluation

Sponsor: EPRIStatus: Complete

The HVAC&R Center developed a white paper on thestate-of-the-technology for ice slurry. The white paperincluded discussion of the technology history, identifi-cation of current industry players, industry trends,and recommendations for future work.

Duct Cleaning

Sponsor: EPRIStatus: Complete

The HVAC&R Center developed a white paper on ductcleaning. The industry has seen a proliferation in themarketing of duct cleaning services for both commercialand residential installations. As a result, both EPRIand the HVAC&R Center have been fielding questionsfrom member utilities regarding the efficacy of ductcleaning in commercial and residential applications.The white paper includes a literature review, identifica-tion of relevant standards, overview of duct cleaningequipment, and recommendations.

■ Hotline SupportThe HVAC&R Center Hotline (800-858-EPRI) contin-ued to be an important resource for EPRI memberutilities in 1997–1998. The hot-line is an informationresource that allows member utilities to get immediateresponse to a wide range of questions related toheating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration.Hotline inquiries cover a wide range of topical areas,including technologies (existing and emerging), mar-kets, applications, end-uses, fundamentals, and manu-facturer contacts. Dan Dettmers is our primary contacthandling hotline calls. The following are statistics onhotline inquiries during 1997–1998:

2,812 calls in 1997

2,041 calls in 1998

In the future, should you have any questions relatedto heating, ventilation, air conditioning, orrefrigeration, contact us.

Technology Transfer

■ Workshops and Seminars Conducted

1997 _______________________________

HVAC Fundamentals, Consolidated Edison–February

Chiller Workshop, City Public Serviceof San Antonio–May

High Efficiency Chiller Workshop–May

Public Facilities Seminar, PECO–October

Healthcare Facilities Seminar, PECO–October

Chiller Analysis Workshop–August

Ventilation/IAQ Workshop–August

EPRI HVAC&R Center Advisory Meeting–August

EPRI Commercial Heat Pump Workshop–August

EPRI Commercial Applications of OzoneWorkshop–August

Heat Pump Workshop, TVA–November

1998 _______________________________

Heat Pump Workshop, AEP–March

Florida Power and Light Cool Storage and Cold AirDistribution, Orlando–May

Florida Power and Light Cool Storage and Cold AirDistribution, Ft. Lauderdale–May

HVAC&R Center Advisory Meeting–August

PowerDOETM Training–August

PowerDOETM Training, TVA–September

Space-Conditioning System Selection, United PowerAuthority–December

Workshops, Seminars, and Conferences

■ Conferences andWorkshops Attended

1997 _______________________________

EPRI/ASHRAE Tuberculosis Workshop–January

ASHRAE Winter Meeting–January

American Association of SchoolAdministrators–February

EPRI Healthcare Initiative–February

EPRI Business Area Council Meeting–February

EPRI Education Initiative–March

EPRI Competitive Cooling–March

ASHRAE Standard 90. 1 Meeting–March

EPRI Office Initiative–March

Grand Forks Garden & Home Show–April

Texas A/E Conference–April

Microbial IAQ Conference–April

American Gas Cooling Conference–May

EPRI Thermal Storage Target–May

EPRI Healthcare Initiative–June

ASHRAE Annual Meeting–June

EPRI/ASHRAE Tuberculosis Workshop–July

EPRI Education Initiative–July

EPRI Electronics Initiative–July

CLIMA 2000–August

Air Conditioning in High-Rise Buildings–September

Technology Transfer

EPRI Commercial Cooling Interest Group–September

EPRI Multifamily Housing Initiative–September

International Ground Source Heat PumpAssociation–September

EPRI PowerDOETM Training–September

Duke Power PowerDOETM Training–September

EPRI Tuberculosis Workshop–September

ASHRAE IAQ ’97–September

NIST Refrigerants Conference–October

EPRI Office Initiative–October

TEC/EEI–October

EPRI Business Unit Council–October

EPRI Healthcare Initiative–October

EPRI Center Director’s Meeting–October

Thermal Storage Symposium, Seoul–October

EPRI Education Initiative–November

Northern States Power Energy Partners Conference–November

1998 _______________________________

EPRI Business Unit Council Meeting –January

ASHRAE Winter Meeting–January

American Association of School Administrators AnnualMeeting–February

AEE Globalcon Conference–March

EPRI Center Director’s Meeting–March

ElectroTec ’98–March

South Africa ESKOM/DUEE Conference–April

EPRI Chiller Target Meeting–April

EPRI Retail Technology Fair–April

EPRI ATA/FTA Meeting – May

EPRI Thermal Storage Target–May

EPRI Supermarket Target–May

International Conference on Energy andthe Environment, Shanghai–May

United States Energy Association–June

ASHRAE Summer Meeting–June

Bioaerosols Conference–September

Midwest Plant Engineering Conference–September

IEEC–September

ASHRAE Sandard 90. 1–November

Technology Transfer

Douglas T. Reindl, Ph. D. , P. E.Director

Doug supports members through active efforts inresearch and technology transfer. He has expertise inthermal energy storage, indoor air quality, HVAC,refrigeration, natural refrigerants, energy utilization,modeling, and simulation. As the director of theHVAC&R Center and TSARC, Doug is committedto serving HVAC&R Center members by leadingresearch projects, technology transfer, and technicalinvestigations in the areas of thermal storage, refriger-ation, ice slurries, optimal control, global climatechange, impacts of end-use technologies, indoor airquality, real-time pricing issues, modeling, andsimulation. He is a registered Professional Engineerin the State of Wisconsin, the chairman of ASHRAETechnical Committee 6. 9 (Thermal Storage), and vicechairman of ASHRAE GPC 2 (Engineering Analysis ofExperimental Data).

James S. Elleson, P. E.Director of Technical Services

Jim has extensive experience in analysis, design,testing, and commissioning of HVAC&R systems, withparticular expertise in thermal storage and largechilled water plants. He has a special interest inachieving more efficient and cost-effective systems,through improvements in design, application, installa-tion, and operation. Jim is a principal author of severalrelated design guides and best practice manuals,published by EPRI, ASHRAE, and others. He is amember of the ASHRAE Special Publications Commit-tee, secretary of Standards Project Committee 150P(Method of Testing Cool Storage Systems), and acorresponding member of technical committees onthermal storage and district heating and cooling. He isa member of the International District Energy Associa-tion. Jim is a registered Professional Engineer in theState of Wisconsin.

Todd B. Jekel, Ph. D.Assistant Scientist

Todd supports members as a modeler of building energyand energy systems using computer simulation tools.Todd is fluent in PowerDOE and TRNSYS. Otherprojects that he is involved with are ozone watertreatment of cooling towers and effective air filtrationfor indoor air quality. His interests include buildingenergy and energy simulation techniques, air-sideand water-side energy recovery systems, industrialrefrigeration, indoor air quality, advanced watertreatment methods for cooling towers, and effects ofmaintenance on HVAC equipment.

Robert A. GanslerProject Engineer

Bob is well-versed in modeling techniques for thermalenergy storage and refrigeration systems. He hasbeen closely involved in a number of projects dealingwith district cooling systems. He also has developedexpertise in assessing source energy requirementsand emission characteristics associated with space-conditioning systems. His interests include energycodes, district cooling, and real-time pricing issues.Bob is a member of ASHRAE, where he is involved inTechnical Committee 6. 9 (Thermal Storage) and SSPC90. 1 (Energy Standard for Commercial Buildings).

EPRI HVAC&R and TSARC Staff

EPRI HVAC&R and TSARC Staff

Daniel J. DettmersResearch Engineer

Dan, who operates the HVAC&R Hotline, is knowledge-able on a wide range of HVAC topics. He fieldstechnical and market-related questions on HVACsystems and equipment for residential, commercial,and industrial applications. Dan also provides seminartraining and technical presentations to a variety ofaudiences. His knowledge and expertise includechillers, heat pumps, refrigerants, marketing HVACequipment, warehouse refrigeration, and commercialkitchen ventilation. He is an associate member ofASHRAE and a member of IGSHPA.

Charles E. Dorgan, P. E. , Ph. D.Emeritus DirectorChuck was the director of the Center from its foundingin 1989 through 1996. He continues to assist withspecial projects. Chuck is widely recognized for hisexpertise in technology innovation, thermal storage,indoor air quality and productivity, commissioning,quality improvement, and energy-efficient design ofHVAC&R systems. He is an ASHRAE Fellow, arecipient of the Department of Energy’s coveted SadiCarnot Award, and a Professional Engineer licensed infive states.

Mission of the HVAC&R Center

To advance the science of providing controlled environments to ensure the health and comfortof people and to facilitate the production and storage of goods. We promote advances inheating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration technology through research,

technical assistance, publications, and education.

Vision

The HVAC&R Center and its companion, the Thermal Storage Applications Research Center (TSARC),are two technology centers in the College of Engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. BothCenters function to conduct research, provide technical assistance, and perform educational activities inareas relating to heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration.

The mission and activities conducted by the Centers directly contribute to each of the four missionobjectives of the University: creating, integrating, transferring, and applying knowledge.

In the future, the HVAC&R Center will continue to engage and deliver high-quality services to itsclientele. The foundation of the Center and its capabilities relies on developing and retaining high-quality professional staff. The professional staff not only provides continuity to Center activities but isessential and integral to successfully executing our mission. The involvement of other faculty andundergraduate and graduate students in the University will continue to grow in the future.

Our vision is to provide the highest quality

• research that advances the state of the art and improves the application of HVAC&R technology

• technical assistance that enables clients to make more effective use of HVAC&R technology, and

• education that empowers others to better apply and advance HVAC&R technology

for all segments of the HVAC&R community.