 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||||||
 |
||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||
April 2005
BFRL Monthly Highlights
April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 August 2005 September 2005 PAST Highlights
NIST and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) Complete Photovoltaic Measurements
The photovoltaic industry is experiencing an annual growth of more than 30 percent per year and globally generates more than $4 billion in revenues. Photovoltaic products are sold based upon their power output at a specified set of conditions and, thus, the measurement procedures used to capture their performance is of utmost importance to the industry.
A joint study with SNL was undertaken to compare the outdoor measured performance of three photovoltaic modules, each using different technologies, and to determine the extent to which photovoltaic performance measurements, obtained outdoors under natural sunlight in two different geographical locations, are in agreement. A series of tests was conducted to measure the electrical power output of each photovoltaic module at specified rating conditions and to measure the response of each panel to changes in cell temperature, angle of incidence, and solar spectrum. All measured values by the two laboratories were in excellent agreement for all three modules, well within the uncertainty of the associated measurements.
The researchers’ findings have been submitted to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ Journal of Solar Energy Engineering for publication and will be presented at the International Solar Energy Conference in Orlando, Fla.
CONTACT:
Hunter Fanney (BFRL)
301-975-5864BFRL Completes Simulation Study of Hybrid Ventilation System for Office Buildings
BFRL has completed a simulation study of hybrid ventilation systems—a combination of natural ventilation systems with mechanical equipment—for U.S. office buildings.
Simulation results showed that the hybrid ventilation system improved on the indoor air quality and thermal performance of the natural ventilation system in all climates, with dramatic improvement in some. Compared to straight mechanical systems, the hybrid system saved significant amounts of fan energy, cooling loads, or both, in all climates but often resulted in higher heating loads.
Key recommendations of the study include further development of engineering tools for improved design and analysis, and development of performance standards for natural and hybrid ventilation systems.
CONTACT:
Steven Emmerich (BFRL)
301-975-6459BFRL Conducts LADAR Performance Evaluation Workshop
The Construction Metrology and Automation Group of BFRL conducted a Laser Distance and Ranging (LADAR) Performance Evaluation Workshop on March 15-16, 2005. The workshop was attended by a representative cross section of end users and manufacturers as well as private and government researchers from Canada, Germany, and the United States.
LADAR technology is changing rapidly and is outpacing the development of best practices/guidelines/standards for the evaluation of these instruments. The objective of the workshop was to develop test protocols for the performance evaluation of terrestrial LADARs. The protocols would include procedures to evaluate basic characteristics of the instrument and to evaluate derivative quantities.
CONTACT:
Gerry Cheok (BFRL)
301-975-6074NIST Contributes to New DHS Sensor Standards Working Group
Kang Lee (MEL), Al Wavering (MEL), and Paul Domich (BFRL) participated in an initial meeting of a new Sensor Standards Working Group on Feb. 22, 2005, convened by Bert Coursey, director of the Standards Office in the Science and Technology Directorate at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Representatives from DHS, NIST, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) contributed to this meeting. The goals of the Sensor Standards Working Group are to:
- determine priority areas and key stakeholders for standards activities in sensor infrastructures and interoperability at DHS and other federal agencies;
- exchange information on the development of interoperability standards and guidelines for sensors and sensor systems; and
- provide updates on current programs related to sensor infrastructure.
Lee presented a summary of the IEEE 1451 smart and wireless sensor interface standards. He also discussed the cooperation with the Open Geospatial Consortium SensorWeb project, which aims to establish a Web service infrastructure in an open standard environment to support the discovery, access, and tasking of fixed and mobile sensors in sensor networks. Bryan Gorman of ORNL discussed SensorNet, a sensor program supported by the Department of Defense and Fort Bragg and its interaction with SensorWeb. SensorNet is a networked sensor system based on the IEEE 1451 standards. It could be used as a model to build the infrastructure for very large sensor network systems to cover the entire United States for homeland security purposes. Paul Domich discussed the ANSI/American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers standard building automation and control network for building control systems.
The meeting closed with a discussion of next steps for the Sensor Standards Working Group. This included identifying key stakeholders and sensor standards-setting organizations across a broad range of sectors and infrastructures; identifying existing standards groups like IEEE that can provide leadership in the development and adoption of integration and interoperability requirements; and identifying stakeholder groups that can provide useful guidance on current and future requirements for sensor networks, standards, and integration and interoperability requirements.
Contact:
Kang Lee (MEL)
301-975-6604BFRL’s Lew Selected to Receive SEI/ASCE’s Walter P. Moore, Jr., Award
H.S. Lew has been selected to receive the 2005 Walter P. Moore, Jr., Award. The award recognizes Lew’s technical excellence in investigation of the causes of building failures due to natural and man-made disasters, which have led to significant improvements in structural standards and professional practice. The Walter P. Moore, Jr., Award is presented annually by the Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) to a structural engineer who has demonstrated technical expertise in and dedication to the development of structural codes and standards. Lew will receive the award at the SEI Award Luncheon on April 22, 2005, at the Structures Congress in New York City.
CONTACT:
Stephen Cauffman (BFRL)
301-975-6051
|
Privacy Policy/Security Notice | Disclaimer | FOIA NIST is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce |
|
Last updated: 4/27/2005