[Paper Review] The Energy Navigator - A Web-Platform for Performance Design and Management

Stefan Plesser, Claas Pinkernell+2 more|arXiv (Cornell University)|Sep 1, 2014

Simulation Techniques and Applications6 references3 citations

TL;DR

The Energy Navigator is a web-based platform that uses state graphs and a domain-specific language to create Active Functional Specifications (AFS) for building services, enabling seamless integration of performance design, commissioning, and operational monitoring. By replacing traditional Word-based specifications with machine-processable AFS, it reduces transaction costs and improves process integration, leading to automated verification of building operation against design criteria.

ABSTRACT

Over the last three decades comprehensive research has been carried out trying to improve commissioning processes with powerful modeling tools and methodologies for data analysis and visualization. Typically addressed application scenarios are facilities management, contracting, special consulting services and measurement & verification as part of a certification process. The results are all but convincing: Monitoring of building operation has so far not become a regular service for buildings. We have identified a lack of process integration as a significant barrier for market success. Most methodologies have so far caused additional initial invest and transaction cost: they added new services instead of improving existing ones. The Energy Navigator, developed by synavision GmbH in cooperation with leading research institutes of the Technical University Braunschweig and the RWTH Aachen University, presents a new methodology with several new approaches. Its software platform uses state graphs and a domain specific language to describe building functions offering an alternative to the software that is so far most widely used for this task: Microsoft Word. The Energy Navigators so called Active Functional Specification (AFS) is used for the technical specification of building services in the design phase. After construction it is completed by the supplier of the BMS (Building Management System) with the relevant sensors data as documentation of his service. Operation data can then automatically be checked for initial and continuous commissioning on whether it meets the criteria of the specification.

Motivation & Objective

• To address the persistent lack of market adoption in building energy performance monitoring due to poor process integration.
• To reduce initial investment and transaction costs associated with traditional building commissioning and monitoring methodologies.
• To replace ad hoc, non-machine-readable specifications (e.g., Microsoft Word) with a formal, executable specification language for building services.
• To enable automated verification of operational data against design specifications throughout the building lifecycle.
• To improve interoperability and traceability between design, construction, and operation phases of building management systems (BMS).

Proposed method

• The platform employs a domain-specific language (DSL) to model building functions using state graphs, enabling formal specification of building service behavior.
• Active Functional Specifications (AFS) are created during the design phase to formally document required building functions and control logic.
• After construction, the BMS supplier completes the AFS with actual sensor data, creating a machine-readable operational baseline.
• Operational data from the BMS is automatically validated against the AFS to check for compliance during initial and continuous commissioning.
• The system supports traceability and versioning of specifications across design, construction, and operation phases.
• The platform is implemented as a web-based service, enabling collaboration and integration across stakeholders in building projects.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 How can building performance specifications be formalized to enable automated verification during commissioning?
• RQ2 To what extent can replacing Word-based specifications with a domain-specific language reduce transaction and integration costs?
• RQ3 Can a unified specification model improve traceability and interoperability between design, construction, and operation phases?
• RQ4 How effective is the automated validation of operational data against formalized functional specifications in real-world building scenarios?
• RQ5 What role does process integration play in the market adoption of building performance monitoring systems?

Key findings

• The use of Active Functional Specifications (AFS) as executable models enables automated compliance checking of operational data against design requirements.
• Replacing informal Word documents with a formal DSL reduces ambiguity and improves consistency in technical specifications.
• The integration of BMS sensor data into the AFS during handover creates a reliable, machine-processable operational baseline.
• The platform reduces the need for manual verification and rework during commissioning, lowering transaction costs.
• The methodology supports end-to-end traceability from design to operation, enhancing accountability and auditability.
• The system demonstrates feasibility in real-world deployment through integration with existing BMS and building management workflows.