HouseZero, the living laboratory of the Harvard Center for Green Buildings and Cities, is continuously collecting data related to temperature, lighting, building occupancy, energy production, and more. This results in the system collecting and storing millions of data points, all aiming to enhance our collective understanding of building performance, inform necessary improvements to the building, and conduct research.
Our HouseZero live data platform provides real-time energy, indoor temperature, and carbon-performance data from the building. Anyone can view our data – check it out for yourself.
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The page includes microclimatic weather data and solar radiation, energy data, indoor temperature performance, and carbon data. The team at the Harvard Center for Green Buildings and Cities plans to share additional data in the future.
HouseZero collects data through numerous sensors and systems, before it is channeled through a complex network and Internet of Things (IoT) architecture that is unique to HouseZero. This collection is done at predefined intervals, and then the data is sent up to a historical application server for long-term storage. Custom CGBC algorithms and scripts are used to allow for automation of data collection.
The idea of a live data page is not novel in and of itself. However, this live data page is unique because it showcases carbon data based on different scenarios. Unlike other live data pages, this platform includes combined embodied and operational carbon data relative to different grid emissions methodologies.
Additionally, the Harvard Center for Green Buildings and Cities believes it is important to share data in order to promote heightened understanding of building performance, especially in an ultra-efficient, naturally ventilated building. We strive to share this information with the public in order to meet this educational mission.
The live data platform serves a variety of purposes for different people.
First, the platform provides live data regarding how HouseZero is performing, for those who are curious about the building, its consistency, and its status in relation to its energy goals. Anyone can log onto the platform to see how HouseZero is doing in terms of temperature, carbon performance, and more.
Second, the platform contributes to the educational mission of the Center by providing viewers with a snapshot of data that could be used for a number of purposes. For example, researchers who are looking for information from a naturally ventilated and ultra-low energy building could use HouseZero’s outdoor and indoor temperature datapoints, as well as building energy consumption, to better understand how energy efficiency and thermal comfort can work together in a naturally ventilated building.
Third, the carbon data, based on different grid emissions methodologies, illustrates the impact of a variety of calculations on buildings’ carbon balance estimates. The aim of presenting this carbon data is to highlight the importance of additional research into real-time emissions estimation at the building level.
In the future, additional information and features may be provided based on user feedback and comments.
The Harvard Center for Green Buildings and Cities welcomes your feedback on the live data page. Please feel free to email us at [email protected] with your comments and inquiries.