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Heat Transfer and Alternative Energy Systems Group

Welcome

Mission: To promote innovation and competitiveness in the alternative energy and energy efficiency sector by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology related to energy utilization in buildings.

The Heat Transfer and Alternative Energy Systems Group:

  • collects performance data, develops measurement methods, and validates computer models used to predict the energy performance of photovoltaics and other alternative energy production systems in building applications

  • provides measurement services and standard reference materials to assess the thermal performance of insulation

  • develops novel methods and tools to make in-situ measurements of the energy consumption in buildings and the energy efficiency of building components

  • develops and assesses test methods for micro-cogeneration systems, water heaters, and air conditioners

Impact

The work carried out by the group results in the following contributions to the building industry:

  • Technical Publications
  • Standard Reference Material and Standard Reference Database for thermal properties of insulation
  • Standardized test methods to assess energy performance of equipment such as photovoltaics, combined heat and power systems, water heaters, and air conditioners
  • Improved modeling capabilities to predict output of alternative energy systems
  • Novel tools and methods to assess building energy performance
Programs/Projects

Net-Zero Energy, High-Performance Buildings Program—Buildings account for 40 % of the primary energy consumption and 72 % of the electricity consumption in the United States, while accounting for 40 % of the CO2 emissions. To minimize the costs …

Whole Building Energy Modeling and Measurements Project—Buildings use approximately 40% of the total energy consumed in the US and one-half of that amount is attributed to homes, making the residential building sector an important area on which to focus …

Performance Measurements of Photovoltaics and Distributed Generation Systems Project —To realize net-zero energy buildings, distributed generation, especially as provided by renewable sources like solar photovoltaics (PV), is required.  Computer simulation tools and testing …

Measuring Performance of Net-Zero Energy Homes Project—Uncertainty in the realized performance of green buildings is a barrier to increased adoption and investment in energy and environmental savings technologies.  NIST's new Net-Zero …

Measurement Techniques for Thermal Insulation Project—The use of thermal insulation in building and equipment enclosures is a primary approach to reducing heating and cooling loads in buildings, which account for 42 % and 24 % of primary energy …
 
Staff Directory
Employment/Research Opportunities
Contact
William M. Healy, Leader
Heat Transfer and Alternative Energy Group
(301) 975-4922