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News | March 13, 2018

A Process to Analyze Data from the Deployable Metering and Monitoring System Using United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon Data, with Recommendations from a Limited Dataset

By Julie Sapp, Paige Rudin, Abby Lemert, and Michele Gardner Defense & Technology Paper 110

Executive Summary

A Process to Analyze Data from the Deployable Metering and Monitoring System Using United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon Data, with Recommendations from a Limited Dataset
A Process to Analyze Data from the Deployable Metering and Monitoring System Using United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon Data, with Recommendations from a Limited Dataset
Defense & Technology Paper 110
Photo By: NDU Press
VIRIN: 180313-D-BD104-001

The United Nations Department of Peace Keeping Operations (UNPKO) leads and supports the efforts of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to maintain peace and provide humanitarian aid. With over 50 camps located in the country of Lebanon, the UNPKO is striving for energy efficiency to ensure day-to-day operations are using resources effectively. In 2017, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) conducted a study1 rooted in the UNPKO mission to maintain energy efficient camps by analyzing data from metering systems to develop technology insertion recommendations. 

The beginning steps of the DoD study involved receiving deployable metering and monitoring systems (DMMS) data sampled from six UNIFIL sites. Although DMMS refers to a larger, three-pillared approach to data gathering, and the data here represents only a portion of one pillar, the DMMS acronym is used to reference the UNIFIL data in this study. Five analyses were designed to draw useful conclusions from the data for UNPKO staff located on-site. The five-step analysis process included: Analytic 1: Time Period of Fluke Data Collection vs. LOG Data Collection, Analytic 2: Determination of Partial or Complete Load Breakdown, Analytic 3: Determination of Appropriate Generator Number, Analytic 4: Comparison of Phase Balancing, and Analytic 5: Analysis of Daily Load Curves. The methods for conducting the analyses are detailed in this report to enable similar analyses of future UNPKO DMMS data sets. 

The analyses were used to produce a set of recommendations on generator use specific to the UNIFIL camps included in the data. After conducting the five initial analyses, additional analyses were designed that could be employed in future studies of UNPKO DMMS data sets to reveal new trends and insights. One example, which entails correlating the DMMS data with external factors affecting energy consumption, is explored in detail. General trends across all UNIFIL DMMS data sets are identified. 

It was generally found that UNIFIL camps had generator capacities which far exceeded peak daily demands. The recommendations in this study could be used to determine appropriately-sized generators and develop schedules for usage. Actions could be taken across UNIFIL based on these recommendations to lower costs by eliminating unused generators.

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