Pacific Energy Center Design, Performance and Commissioning Issues Classes

Pacific Energy Center

The resources from the most recent version of the Design, Performance and Commissioning Issues classes that I teach with Ryan Stroupe at the Pacific Energy Center are posted below. These classes tend to build off of each other. For instance, the Chilled and Condenser Water Systems class assumes you are familiar with the materials in the Pumps and Pipes class. So, if you attended a class and we reference materials from a previous class that you did not attend, this is where you can find them, just scroll down until you find the class you are looking for.

Since the classes are always evolving, I have created an archive for past version of the class that you can access at this location. I also have pages for my portion of the content associated with the Existing Building Commissioning Project Review Workshop and the Existing Building Commissioning Workshop Series that I help Ryan with. Ryan maintains a comprehensive website that includes all of the class materials, but you will find the materials that I contribute to those classes at the links above.

Please note that older versions of the PEC content can still be found at the Google Drive location that is referenced in my blog.

Design, Performance and Commissioning Issues Classes

Current Classes (Fans, Ducts and AHUs, Pumps, RCx101, and Pneumatics)

Variable Speed Drives

System Diagram Workshop

Steam and Hot Water Systems

Pumps and Pipes

Air Side Economizers

Fans, Ducts and AHUs

Control Systems

Logic Diagram Workshop

Chilled & Condenser Water Systems

RCx 101 (EBCx Workshop Prerequisite Class)

Important Notice

Normally, we only do one of the classes in this series at a time at least a month apart. But this month, we did four of them. So there are four" current classes", RCx101, Pumps and Piping: Design, Performance and Commissioning Issues, and Fans, Ducts and Air Handling Systems: Design, Performance and Commissioning Issues, and A Field Perspective on Pneumatic Control and Actuation Systems.

So, if you are here looking for follow up information from previous classes, just page down a bit and you will see it.

This week's Pneumatics class materials will be posted by 7:30 AM Wednesday morning (June 23th) immediately below this notice.

A Field Perspective on Pneumatic Control and Actuation Systems
Day 3

proportional_control_vs_vrf.pptx
File Size:	1022 kb
File Type:	pptx

pneumatic_control_diagram_symbols_v8.pptx
File Size:	135330 kb
File Type:	pptx

equipment_information.zip
File Size:	89772 kb
File Type:	zip

cv_lab_ahu_v1.pdf
File Size:	85 kb
File Type:	pdf

drawing_sheet_v1.xlsm
File Size:	157 kb
File Type:	xlsm

thermostat_symbol.pptx
File Size:	7737 kb
File Type:	pptx

Here are the materials we will be using today in class. I will place any follow-up materials here with-in a week.

A Field Perspective on Pneumatic Control and Actuation Systems
Day 2

Here are the materials we will be using today in class. I will place any follow-up materials here with-in a week.

pneumatics_day_2_pdf_presentations.zip
File Size:	24018 kb
File Type:	zip

supporting_information.zip
File Size:	17968 kb
File Type:	zip

A Field Perspective on Pneumatic Control and Actuation Systems
Day 1

These are the materials I will be using for the first half-day session on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. I will post the materials for the second half day session scheduled for Wednesday, June 30, 2021 immediately below this by 7:30 AM on the morning of the class.

There may be some Poll Everywhere activities during the class so please take a minute prior to class o to set up your device to access my account if needed. The slides below describe how to do this.

coonnecting_to_poll_everywhere_v4.pptx
File Size:	1882 kb
File Type:	pptx

pneumatics_day_1_pdf_presentations.zip
File Size:	24681 kb
File Type:	zip

supporting_information_-_catalogs.zip
File Size:	6945 kb
File Type:	zip

supporting_information_-_control_and_logic_diagrams.zip
File Size:	26785 kb
File Type:	zip

pneumatic_actuator_motion_v1.mp4
File Size:	15366 kb
File Type:	mp4

We will be using this video clip in a breakout session. You can also download the .mp 4 file to the left to view the clip on your laptop but it will not have the table of contents feature that is included with the embedded version above.

RCx101

These are the materials I will be using for my portion of the RCx101 class on May 5, 2021. Any follow-up materials will also be posted here with-in a week of the class day.
We will be using Poll Everywhere for some of the activities. Ryan and I both have accounts and Ryan sent his log-in information out with the class logistics e-mail. You will find my account information in the PowerPoint file below. Please take a minute prior to class or on one of the early breaks to set up your device to access my account when needed.

CLASS MATERIALS AND SUPPORTING INFORMATION
These are the materials I will be presenting or materials that you will need for some of the interactive exercises.

rcx101_presentations_-_pdfs.zip
File Size:	37045 kb
File Type:	zip

bureaucratic_affairs_bldg_model_screen_shots.zip
File Size:	14303 kb
File Type:	zip

05_-_central_plant_support_v2.pdf
File Size:	7593 kb
File Type:	pdf

SKETCHUP MODELS
These are the models I will be using in some of the exercises. You do not need to have SketchUp installed or download these models for the class today, but we are making them available because in the past we have found that some people have installed SketchUp and like to follow along on their own. If you want to give that a shot, the information you need regarding how to install SketchUp is on this page of the website.

plant_v41_suv8.zip
File Size:	111155 kb
File Type:	zip

main_conference_room_v1_suv8.zip
File Size:	24164 kb
File Type:	zip

ballroom_ahu_fly_through_v23_suv8.zip
File Size:	21976 kb
File Type:	zip

blank_psych_chart.pdf
File Size:	180 kb
File Type:	pdf

cooling_towers_v11_suv8.zip
File Size:	20773 kb
File Type:	zip

cltd_method.zip
File Size:	28598 kb
File Type:	zip

FOLLOWUP INFORMATION
The file below is the calculations I did with you in class in OneNote. Someone also asked if there was a list someplace of common EBCx opportunities. At the time, I mentioned that there were some examples in the EBCx Skills Guidebook and also in a number of blog posts that I have written under the Retrocommissioning Findings category.

I also mentioned that the folks at the Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) had put together a pretty good list that they use for their classes and that I would try to get a copy and post it. I am still working on that so check back again if you are interested.

One thing that I didn't mention is that the The HIjend Hotel SketchUp page has three different scoping exercises that you can do using the SketchUp models, a Chilled Water Plant Scoping Exercise, a Ballroom AHU Scoping Exercise, and a Cooling Tower Scoping Exercise. Even if you did not want to do the exercises, each exercise includes a findings list (basically, the answer to the exercise).

The findings list represent common findings for these types of systems and thus, could guide your efforts if you were working with an air handling system, central chilled water plant or condenser water system. The findings list include the finding, the obvious indicator or "clue", suggested next steps for capturing the improvement, and precautions and things you could consider if you were to move forward with the implementation.

If I have missed something, just let me know or contact Ryan an he will let me know.

rcx101_class_notes.pdf
File Size:	1521 kb
File Type:	pdf

Pumps and Piping: Design, Performance and Commissioning Issues

These are the materials I will be using in the April 29th Pumps class that I am helping to support. I will also post any follow up materials at this location after the class.

As mentioned in the class registration confirmation and preparation e-mail, we will be using the SketchUp models below for some of the exercises in the class. The information you need regarding how to get set up with SketchUp was included in the e-mail you received along with links to the other preparatory materials. But you will also find the information regarding getting a copy of SketchUp on the SketchUp Resources page of the website.

If you want to take a tour narrated tour of the plant rather than working directly with the SketchUp models, there is a "fly through" video at this link.

There is also a longer narrated video of the plant at this link, where I walk you through the it, point out some of the features, and discuss how you might start making a system diagram and develop a retrocommissioning findings list based on the "obvious indicators" of opportunity.

pumps_and_piping_presentation_pdfs.zip
File Size:	37772 kb
File Type:	zip

plant_v41_suv8.zip
File Size:	111155 kb
File Type:	zip

exercise_support.zip
File Size:	8350 kb
File Type:	zip

ballroom_ahu_fly_through_v23_suv8.zip
File Size:	21976 kb
File Type:	zip

cooling_towers_v11_suv8.zip
File Size:	20773 kb
File Type:	zip

FOLLOWUP INFORMATION
These are the follow up items I said I would provide during class. If I have missed something, just let me know or contact Ryan an he will let me know.

pumps_class_notes.pdf
File Size:	854 kb
File Type:	pdf

variable_flow_plants_v6.pptx
File Size:	11287 kb
File Type:	pptx

variable_flow_chiller_plants_v2.pdf
File Size:	810 kb
File Type:	pdf

Fans, Ducts, and Air Handling Systems: Design, Performance and Commissioning Issues

These are the materials I will be using in the April 28th Fans, Ducts and Air Handling Systems class that I am helping to support. I will also post any follow up materials at this location after the class.

As mentioned in the class registration confirmation and preparation e-mail, we will be using the SketchUp models below for some of the exercises in the class. The information you need regarding how to get set up with SketchUp was included in the e-mail you received along with links to the other preparatory materials. But you will also find the information regarding getting a copy of SketchUp on the SketchUp Resources page of the website.

For one of the models, I created a video that takes you through the model as an alternative for folks who simply are not comfortable with using SketchUp. You will find that video at this link.

fans_ducts_ahus_pdfs.zip
File Size:	77643 kb
File Type:	zip

ballroom_ahu_fly_through_v23_suv8.zip
File Size:	21976 kb
File Type:	zip

bureaucratic_affairs_bldg_model_screen_shots.zip
File Size:	14303 kb
File Type:	zip

cltd_method.zip
File Size:	28598 kb
File Type:	zip

main_conference_room_v1_suv8.zip
File Size:	24164 kb
File Type:	zip

blank_psych_chart.pdf
File Size:	180 kb
File Type:	pdf

overview_and_mechanical_room_suv8.zip
File Size:	46161 kb
File Type:	zip

RCx 101

These are materials I will use today in the RCx 101 Class I will help support at the Pacific Energy Center. I will also post follow-up materials here after the class.

ten_skills_v7.pdf
File Size:	61117 kb
File Type:	pdf

plant_v40_suv8.zip
File Size:	75668 kb
File Type:	zip

bureaucratic_affairs_v9_suv8.zip
File Size:	6149 kb
File Type:	zip

cooling_towers_v11_suv8.zip
File Size:	20773 kb
File Type:	zip

ballroom_ahu_v23_suv8.zip
File Size:	19078 kb
File Type:	zip

exercise_1.pdf
File Size:	129 kb
File Type:	pdf

exercise_3.pdf
File Size:	62 kb
File Type:	pdf

exercise_2.pdf
File Size:	72 kb
File Type:	pdf

central_plant_support_v1.pdf
File Size:	37599 kb
File Type:	pdf

Logic Diagram Workshop

These are materials I will use in the November 13, 2019 Logic Diagram Workshop class I will help support at the Pacific Energy Center. I will also post follow-up materials here after the class.

logic_diagram_workshop_pdfs.zip
File Size:	19559 kb
File Type:	zip

supporting_materials.zip
File Size:	79393 kb
File Type:	zip

Follow-up Information

The zip file below contains the follow up information I mentioned that I would provide in class.

follow-up.zip
File Size:	22740 kb
File Type:	zip

Also, as I mentioned, I am in the process of making some informal video clips where I walk you through some of the logic examples associated with the HHW system that are included in the answers to the exercise.

So you may want to check back in a week or two to see if I have them published. Meanwhile, you will find the answers to the HHW system exercise at this link. If you want to try a more expanded version of the exercise we did in class, you will find all of the resources on the Bureaucratic Affairs Building HHW System Logic Exercise page of the website.

VSD Class

These are the materials for the Variable Speed Drive class that was presented at the Pacific Energy Center on December 12th. The Follow-up zip file contains additional information that came up in class. It includes a "READ ME" file that describes the other files.

SketchUp Models (models.zip)
File Size:	86825 kb
File Type:	zip

Scene Guides for SketchUp Models (scene_guides.zip)
File Size:	1506 kb
File Type:	zip

PDF Presentation Files (pdf_presentations.zip)
File Size:	90855 kb
File Type:	zip

Supplemental Information (supplemental_information.zip)
File Size:	108587 kb
File Type:	zip

Follow-up (follow-up.zip)
File Size:	122001 kb
File Type:	zip

Fans, Ducts and AHUs; Design, Performance and Commissioning Issues

These are the materials from the November 11, 2018 Fans, Ducts and Air Handling Units class. Note that the follow-up folder contains a "Read Me" file that describes what the other files are.

supporting_information.zip
File Size:	63897 kb
File Type:	zip

2018-11-07_fans_class.zip
File Size:	213490 kb
File Type:	zip

Control Systems; Design, Performance, and Commissioning Issues

These are the materials from the Control Systems class and include the lab guides we use in the hands-on afternoon session. Even if you did not attended that activity, you might find the lab guides to be useful because they contain a lot of information about the equipment and controllers we used in the lab sessions.

Note also that the follow up materials folder includes a READ ME file that describes what the other files are.

pdf_presentations.zip
File Size:	70816 kb
File Type:	zip

SketchUp Model (hru1-v5r2_-_kinematics_suversion8.zip)
File Size:	3695 kb
File Type:	zip

Lab Guides (lab_guides.zip)
File Size:	63390 kb
File Type:	zip

Test Examples (sample_cx_tests.zip)
File Size:	265 kb
File Type:	zip

Follow-up Materials (follow-up.zip)
File Size:	31971 kb
File Type:	zip

System Diagram Class Materials

These are materials I will use for the June 26th System Diagram Workshop that I will help support at the Pacific Energy Center. I will be uploading materials over the course of the day and early tomorrow morning. Everything will be up by 7 AM tomorrow, June 26th if not sooner. So, if you download something before then, be sure to check back to make sure you have everything.

presentation_pdf_files.zip
File Size:	19108 kb
File Type:	zip

plant_v40_suv8.zip
File Size:	75188 kb
File Type:	zip

scene_guides.zip
File Size:	1506 kb
File Type:	zip

cooling_towers_v11_suv8.zip
File Size:	20773 kb
File Type:	zip

ballroom_ahu_v20_suv8.zip
File Size:	13324 kb
File Type:	zip

system_diagram_examples.zip
File Size:	223652 kb
File Type:	zip

mariagarciaalvarez_system_diagram.pptx
File Size:	1668 kb
File Type:	pptx

We will be developing some system diagrams in class, so you should consider bringing something to draw with. A pad of paper and a pencil will do just fine; graph paper is nice because it helps keep things orderly. But it's not necessary. Some of you may be adept at drawing electronically and that works too. In fact, those who are electronically inclined may want to download a copy of our PowerPoint based System Diagram Tool to work with.

Note that the chilled water plant model (the plant_v40_suv8.zip) is a very large model. The two files below provide another way to work with the chiller plant model by breaking it up into two, smaller elements;

The central plant itself where the chillers and chilled water pumps are located, and
The utility tunnel with the condenser water pump room at the end of it below the cooling towers

So you may want to download these models too in case your computer runs slowly when using the other model. There are also some suggestions regarding what to do if your machine is running slow when working with one of the models on the SketchUp Resources page under the topic A Few Details about Installing SketchUp and Using the Models.

plant_v40_-_no_tunnel_suv8.zip
File Size:	75187 kb
File Type:	zip

tunnel_assembly_v9_suv8.zip
File Size:	18236 kb
File Type:	zip

Chilled and Condenser Water Systems; Design, Performance, and Commissioning Issues

This is an all day class that focuses on chilled and condenser water systems and the files are from the most recent version of the class.

SketchUp Models (models.zip)
File Size:	95137 kb
File Type:	zip

System Diagrams (system_diagrams.zip)
File Size:	2788 kb
File Type:	zip

Equations (equations.zip)
File Size:	338 kb
File Type:	zip

Supplemental Slides (supplemnetal_pdf_slides.zip)
File Size:	33863 kb
File Type:	zip

Follow Up Materials (followup_materails.zip)
File Size:	55641 kb
File Type:	zip

Pumps; Design, Performance and Commissioning Issues

This is an all day class that focuses on pumps and piping systems and is the foundation for some of the other classes that follow that consider different types of pumping and piping systems. Topics include

Pump Basics
Pump Curves, System Curves, and Pump Tests
Pipe, Valves and Fittings
Open vs. Closed Systems
Parallel and Series Pump Basics and Pump/Motor Interactions
Optimizing Pumps
Commissioning and Wrap-up

The link below will allow you to download a zip file that contains the presentation files for this class as .pdfs, along with all of the resources and exercise materials associated with the most recent version of the class.

PDF Presentation Files (presentation_pdf_files.zip)
File Size:	37476 kb
File Type:	zip

SketchUp Models (sketchup_models.zip)
File Size:	68783 kb
File Type:	zip

Exercise Support and Tools (exercise_support.zip)
File Size:	17029 kb
File Type:	zip

Follow Up Materials (followup.zip)
File Size:	21160 kb
File Type:	zip

VAV Systems; Design Performance and Commissioning Issues

This is the space where I will upload the materials for the class Wednesday, March 7, 2018, on Variable Air Volume Systems. I have already started that process to get things done while I am traveling. But there will be some items that I will add later today or early tomorrow morning. So, if you download something today (March 6, 2018), you should still check back in the morning after 7:00 AM to pick up any additional materials.
I will also post follow-up materials here after the class.

Presentation PDF Files (pdf_files.zip)
File Size:	43781 kb
File Type:	zip

Ballroom AHU Model (ball_room_ahu_v16_low_oa_amca_suv8.skp)
File Size:	34128 kb
File Type:	skp

Exercise Materials (exercise_materials.zip)
File Size:	4111 kb
File Type:	zip

The files below are the followup information from the class. The reason for two zip files is that one of the follow-up files is large enough that all of them combined together exceeded the size limits for an upload.

One of the follow up items is best provided via a link. Specifically, several people asked about piping a cooling coil condensate drain. You will find an explanation of the things you need to consider at this link. Feel free to get in touch if you still have questions.

Followup Materials 1st File (followup_01.zip)
File Size:	23720 kb
File Type:	zip

Followup Materials 2nd File (followup_02.zip)
File Size:	236950 kb
File Type:	zip

Economizers; Design, Performance and Commissioning Issues

These are the materials from the Economizer class. The class is focused on air side economizers, but the introductory section also discusses water side economizer and points you to some resources associated with them. Either type has the potential to deliver significant savings by reducing the need for mechanical cooling if they are working properly. But in many instances, getting them to work properly is a challenge, especially for air side systems.

pdf_presentations.zip
File Size:	42422 kb
File Type:	zip

SketchUp Models (sketchup_models.zip)
File Size:	81949 kb
File Type:	zip

Economizer Analysis Examples (economizer_analysis_examples.zip)
File Size:	90141 kb
File Type:	zip

Economizer Calculation Examples (economizer_calculation_examples.zip)
File Size:	18672 kb
File Type:	zip

Economizer Control (economizer_control.zip)
File Size:	3634 kb
File Type:	zip

The follow up information I mentioned that I would provide in the class is in the zip file below. Note that it includes a "Read Me" file that describes what each of the files and folders are.

Steam and Hot Water Systems; Design, Performance and Commissioning Issues

This all day class focuses on steam and hot water systems and complements the Pumps and Piping systems class and the Variable Speed Drives class. The general agenda is as follows:

The general agenda is as follows:

How Buildings Use Heat
How Heat is Generated
Domestic Hot Water
Saturated Systems
Steam vs. Hot Water
How Heat is Transfered
Finned Tube Radiation and Resets
A Closer Look at Humidfication
Heating and Preheating Processes
Reheat Processes

The links below will allow you to download zip files that contain the presentation files for this class as .pdfs, along with all of the resources and exercise materials associated with the most recent version of the class.

2017-06-27_steam_and_hw_systems_class_part_1.zip
File Size:	185303 kb
File Type:	zip

2017-06-27_steam_and_hw_systems_class_part_2.zip
File Size:	159147 kb
File Type:	zip

2017-06-27_steam_and_hw_systems_class_part_3.zip
File Size:	75457 kb
File Type:	zip

2017-06-27_steam_and_hw_systems_class_part_4.zip
File Size:	41214 kb
File Type:	zip