I work in the Automation Systems Division at M.C. Dean, Inc where I engineer and lead Design, Build, Operate, Maintain projects for Mission Critical industries and customers. I have executed projects in the Electrical SCADA, BAS, EMCS areas with a focus on Energy Management for Data Centers and large campuses. Technologies include Ignition, SEL, Niagara, JCI FX, and more.

My current research involves the development of a Building Modeling Hub to integrate the domain-specific CAD, BIM, and BEM programs and trade-off programs to allow streamlined design, development, and analysis of new construction and retrofit projects. Current emphasis is placed on Energy Management capabilities of Net-Zero Homes with renewable energies and HVAC technologies.Specific skills and tasks worked for this project include:• Investigating use of SysML as a Building Modeling Hub for use of dynamic HVAC simulations for energy efficient buildings• Investigating application of Building Controls Virtual Test Bed as link between MagicDraw, EnergyPlus, MATLAB, and Modelica for co-simulation

My position at NIST has me doing research in Smart Grid Interaction between the Grid and Facility Managers (FMs). My work helps empower FMs with information and tools to operate their increasingly complex systems in a Smart Grid environment.The first project investigated a methodology of finding correlations of forecast weather parameters to Photovoltaic (PV) Array outputs. More information and results are published in "Correlating Photovoltaic Clear-Sky and Actual Output to Sky Cover Measurements". Specific skills and tasks worked for this project included:• Gathering forecast weather data from a variety of local sources including weather stations and reported values• Analyzing historical energy production of PV arrays• Developing mathematical correlations between historical data and weather parameters• Interpolating model for predictive reporting• Verifying model versus real world results• Utilizing MATLAB to create model and interpolation.The second project is ongoing and will be included in my thesis. This project is investigating Residential-Scale Energy Management in a Smart Grid environment. The Smart Grid can provide information such as current and future energy prices to homeowners. With this information, homeowners can take steps to save money on their energy bills, while simultaneously helping to stabilize the grid. Specific skills and tasks worked for this project include:• Gathering and logging short term forecast and observed weather and energy prices• Modeling a Net-Zero Home in EnergyPlus• Simulating expected energy load of a Net-Zero Home in EnergyPlus• Analyzing energy results to control behavior for the HVAC and "Smart" components in the model• Optimizing behavior profiles to maximize energy cost savings through energy shedding and shifting techniques within building model• Coupling MATLAB and EnergyPlus EMS systems to create desired behavior of components

I investigated the application of System Engineering principles for the holistic design process for Net-Zero Homes. Specifically, I focused on the use of Model Based System Engineering and allowing for quick, but detailed analysis while performing design space exploration. More information and results are published in "Model-Based Systems Engineering Approach to Energy Efficient Building Design". Specific skills and tasks worked for this project included:• Researching energy efficient building technologies and techniques • Leading a group of 4 students to develop model, run simulation, and analyze results for a Net-Zero Home• Developing a MATLAB program to serve as a very basic Energy Simulation program, complete with heat transfer and radiation models• Performing Parametric Analysis on building parameters to determine holistic efficiencies of Net-Zero Home

WaterShed, the University of Maryland’s entry into the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011, is a solar-powered home that comprises systems which interact with each other and the environment. A home that harvests, recycles, and reuses water, WaterShed not only conserves but produces resources with the water it captures. Inspired by the rich, complex ecosystems of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, the home displays harmony between modernity, tradition, and simple building strategies, balancing time-trusted best practices and cutting-edge technological solutions to achieve high efficiency performance in an affordable manner.WaterShed won the 2011 Solar Decathlon by winning first place with a record-breaking overall score of 95.1% of all possible points awarded. WaterShed placed top-3 in 8 out of 10 contests.Architecture: First PlaceEnergy Balance: First PlaceHot Water: First PlaceMarket Appeal: Second PlaceAppliances: Second PlaceCommunications: Third PlaceComfort Zone: Third PlaceHome Entertainment: Third Placewith Engineering: Fourth PlaceClick on the pictures below for more details of my roles on the team.

Passed background investigation for secret level security clearance• Used MATLAB to simulate ship-based radar efficiency at tracking moving targets• Reviewed and optimized existing MATLAB simulations• Designed computer system to integrate with radar hardware