MorningStar Research Team

A Modeling Tool for Advanced Energy Management Systems in Building
Sarah Klinetob, M.S. Candidate, Architectural Engineering
As electricity deregulation comes into effect, and as solar systems generate power when we use it the most (during the day), there is the opportunity for grid-connected solar systems to take advantage of time of use rates, in order to make solar power more economically viable and to make owners "daytraders" of energy.  My research is to model and compare the economics of a solar system with a smart battery storage system that interacts with the grid during high and low buying and selling rates to a conventional, grid-connected solar system.  Ultimately, this research will be used to design next-generation residential and commercial energy systems, as well as to act as a tool for users to make informed, time of use energy decisions.

An Evaluation of Sustainable Education Assessment Tools within Engineering Education
Kaitlin Vacca, M.S. Candidate, Architectural Engineering
The Pennsylvania State University has developed two assessment tools, a quantitative rubric and online survey, to help measure desired learning outcomes associated with teaching sustainability concepts to engineers at a course level. Each assessment tool is being evaluated through an iterative process to ensure maximum reliability, validity, and alignment with the learning outcomes of the new ABET EC2000 criteria. Future recommendations will be made for the improvement of each tool along with a plan for continual improvement and institutionalization at Penn State and other institutions.

A Framework for Improving Building Operating Decisions
Angela Lewis, Ph D Candidate, Architectural Engineering
As energy costs rise and budgets tighten, reducing building operating costs become an increasing interest of facility managers and building owners.  However, often organizational structure, time and corporate culture does not exist to allow facility managers and building owners to develop new theories, models and tools for the operation and maintenance of mechanical and control systems.  The goal of the research is to develop a Building Operations and Performance Framework to guide and assist facility managers and building owners in planning, implementing and refining building performance and maintenance programs. 

Hybrid Residential Energy Systems and Efficient Modular Energy Core
Roland Le Roux, Ph D Student, Architectural Engineering
As our energy market is about to face major changes within the next years, innovative solutions need to be provided for energy efficiency and energy generation in residential and commercial buildings. The goal of this research is to develop a system schematic for a hybrid residential energy system that combines solar, geothermal, and grid connected power sources.  The heart of this work especially focuses an advanced energy management and Lithium-Ion storage technology.  Another aspect of this study is to design adaptable efficient prefabricated energy cores (kitchen, bathroom and mechanical room) for modular buildings with potential solar power generation.

Solar PV Workforce Development
Andrew Mackey, Research Associate, Architectural Engineering
The solar PV Market is growing faster than the engineering design and construction workforce is prepared to handle. My research goal is to develop effective means of educating photovoltaic installers and to design easily transferrable and highly portable yet expansive PV systems training labs. Another facet of my work is to study practical application of AC and DC electrical systems within efficient modular energy cores.