Mainstreaming Personal Comfort Devices: Enabling Modular Personal Controls for a Wide Range of Energy and Comfort Applications
The Regents of the University of California on behalf of the Berkeley campus
Recipient
Berkeley, CA
Recipient Location
9th
Senate District
14th
Assembly District
Active
Project Status
Project Update
In 2024, the research team has created multiple concept designs for a low-energy nanotube fabric hand warmer and has selected one to develop and test. The team has prototyped a Personal Comfort Device Hub. Research members have conducted a literature search of PCDs and have started organizing use cases. The team is working on a model to test the integration of PCDs with Building Management Systems.
The Issue
Personal Comfort Devices (PCDs)—small appliances that provide thermal comfort to individuals—have not gained much traction in the market. Barriers include: limited availability of efficient PCDs that are convenient for office use, lack of knowledge about how to specify PCDs in commercial buildings, the need to involve various stakeholders in accepting, adopting, and maintaining PCDs (e.g., manufacturers, standards organizations, design professionals, and estate and facilities operators), and lack of integration with building controls. Coordinating PCDs with plug loads and building control systems can reduce energy use and also shift loads in response to grid needs.
Project Innovation
The project will 1) develop and test two new PCDs using a) a new nanostructured carbon heating fabric for leg/feet/hand warming, b) thermoelectric devices (TE) for hand warming and cooling, and c) an infra-red LED device for radiantly heating hands efficiently; 2) develop a Personal Control Hub with sensors, fan, and network including automated thermal preference learning, 3) create and test the customizable Personal Control Ecosystem that integrates the PC Hub with other PCDs, other devices, and/or building management system, and 4) create a web-based PCD Design Guidebook for HVAC engineers and real estate managers to specify the best PCD for their application and context.
Project Goals
Project Benefits
The project benefits include reduced energy consumption, grid flexibility and improved thermal comfort for office workers.
Affordability
Ratepayer benefits of lower costs, greater electricity reliability, and increased safety
Reliability
A PCD provides a much lower energy-intensive solution to personal comfort—3-30 watts of power for fans and efficient nanofabric heaters and thermoelectric devices, compared to thousands of watts of traditional whole building air conditioning and boiler systems
Consumer Appeal
When PCDs and sensors are coordinated with building HVAC systems, the overall HVAC setpoints can be relaxed to reduce HVAC energy consumption
Safety
PCDs can provide emergency thermal comfort when building HVAC systems fail, providing increased safety and personal resilience during extended heat waves or cold spells
Key Project Members
Therese Peffer
