REBUILD AMERICA
Why look at the bills?
Bills are the bottom line –they prove the savings!
Why look at the bills?
Bills are the bottom line –they prove the savings!
Bills are already available – no extra cost!
Why look at the bills?
Bills are the bottom line –they prove the savings!
Bills are already available – no extra cost!
Track on-going operations and find out if measures are really working, verify performance contracts or shared savings
Why look at the bills?
Bills are the bottom line –they prove the savings!
Bills are already available – no extra cost!
Track on-going operations and find out if measures are really working, verify performance contracts or shared savings
Assure fiscal managers that investment was well spent.
First Step
What is the Baseline?
The baseline is what the old facility would have used.
First Step
What is the Baseline?
The baseline is what the old facility would have used.
Savings are computed relative to the baseline.
First Step
What is the Baseline?
The baseline is what the old facility would have used.
Savings are computed relative to the baseline.
But the baseline is the path not taken. How do we know what would have happened?
Baseline Issues
What were the most typical bills?
Baseline Issues
What were the most typical bills? Were certain events unusual and
should be corrected?
Baseline Issues
What were the most typical bills? Were certain events unusual and
should be corrected? How do we adjust for weather
changes?
Baseline Issues
What were the most typical bills? Were certain events unusual and
should be corrected? How do we adjust for weather
changes? What if usage changes – say by
extending operating hours?
What Tools are Needed?
Energy Accounting– Combine utility bills into one database– Establish weather-corrected baseline– Set up comparisons and tracking
What Tools are Needed?
Energy Accounting– Combine utility bills into one database– Establish weather-corrected baseline– Set up comparisons and tracking
Energy Simulation and Audits– Tie energy consumption to physical
characteristics and operations– Adjust for baseline changes– Conduct “what if” scenarios– Set performance targets for verification
Energy Accounting
Database program that helps to
Combine multiple meters or sites
Energy Accounting
Database program that helps to
Combine multiple meters Make simple corrections for weather
Energy Accounting
Database program that helps to
Combine multiple meters Make simple corrections for weather Define the “baseline” for savings
Energy Accounting
Database program that helps to
Combine multiple meters Make simple corrections for weather Define the “baseline” for savings Perform on-going tracking of bills
Energy Accounting
Database program that helps to
Combine multiple meters Make simple corrections for weather Define the “baseline” for savings Perform on-going tracking of bills Compare a group of facilities with each
other
Using the Database
Mike Meinecke is the energy manager for the Tigard School District in Oregon.
Let’s ask him how he uses energy accounting.
Using the Database
“I can look at the bills to track how we are using energy.
If it comes up high, I go to the site to find out why.”
Using the Database
“I look for the peaks and valleys. If a building is performing well, I see it here.“
Daily Consumption Savings
-20,000
0
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
120,000
kW
h/D
ay
Using the Database
“I can show the program reports to others and explain how they are doing.
The reports provide a way to communicate and be objective.”
What it Doesn’t Do
Energy Accounting cannot deal with changes in facilities or operations.
For example, Mike wants to change an electrically-heated school to gas. What savings can he expect?
To answer this question, we need a physical or engineering model of the facility.
The Billing Simulation Model
Ties energy use to physical characteristics and operations of the facility– Update information later, as you collect it.– Calibrate the model to match the bills.
The Billing Simulation Model
Ties energy use to physical characteristics and operations of the facility– Update information later, as you collect it.– Calibrate the model to match the bills.
Displays results as graphics– Easy to explain and understand
The Billing Simulation Model
Ties energy use to physical characteristics and operations of the facility– Update information later, as you collect it.– Calibrate the model to match the bills.
Displays results as graphics– Easy to explain and understand
Computes “what if” scenarios– Identify problems and opportunities
The Billing Simulation Model
Ties energy use to physical characteristics and operations of the facility– Update information later, as you collect it.– Calibrate the model to match the bills.
Displays results as graphics– Easy to explain and understand
Computes “what if” scenarios– Identify problems and opportunities
Sets performance targets– Track the effect of changes
Simulation Example
Here’s a graph showing electric end-uses in Mike’s school. The red block is space heating.
Weather-Normalized Electricity by End Use
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,500
4,000
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Ave
rage
Ener
gy,
kW
h/da
y
Cooling
Heating
Fan
Lights
Plugs
Hot Water
Exterior
Base Case
Simulation Example
Here’s the electric end-uses after we change space heating to gas. Most of the red block disappears.
Weather-Normalized Electricity by End Use
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,500
4,000
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Ave
rage E
nerg
y,
kW
h/d
ay
Cooling
Heating
Fan
Lights
Plugs
Hot Water
Exterior
Base Case
Other Examples
Use a simulation when you need to adjust the baseline to a different set of conditions.
Adding portable classroom buildings Extending operating hours
Verifying Savings
Measurement and Verification (M&V) is used to
Verify performance-based contracts
Verifying Savings
Measurement and Verification (M&V) is used to
Verify performance-based contracts Define “shared savings”
Verifying Savings
Measurement and Verification (M&V) is used to
Verify performance-based contracts Define “shared savings” Prove the measures are working
(commissioning)
Performance Requirement
All parties agree on:
Baseline for estimating savings
Performance Requirement
All parties agree on:
Baseline for estimating savings How to estimate partial savings during
installation
Performance Requirement
All parties agree on:
Baseline for estimating savings How to estimate partial savings during
installation Interactive effects between measures
Performance Requirement
All parties agree on:
Baseline for estimating savings How to estimate partial savings during
installation Interactive effects between measures Adjustments for weather, occupancy
changes, or other changes that interfere with simply comparing the pre- and post-retrofit utility bills
M&V Methodology
Simulation Model is a good way to define the baseline and adjustment methods – all done together.
M&V Methodology
Simulation Model is a good way to define the baseline and adjustment methods – all done together.
Government has guidelines (IPMVP Protocol) for verification– These require that savings estimates also
state the certainty of the estimate.– Certainty can be accomplished within the
simulation model.
M&V Methodology
Simulation Model is a good way to define the baseline and adjustment methods – all done together.
Government has guidelines (IPMVP Protocol) for verification– These require that savings estimates also
state the certainty of the estimate.– Certainty can be accomplished within the
simulation model. Cost to use billing simulation is not
high.
Other Benefits
Using billing analysis creates confidence.
Facility staff are better able to select ESCO contractors and evaluate proposals.
Other Benefits
Using billing analysis creates confidence.
Facility staff are better able to select ESCO contractors and evaluate proposals.
Managers are more comfortable with performance contracts (shared savings).
Resources
Energy Accounting Software– Utility Manager
www.eqnetwork.com– Faser www.eeis.ees.enron.com– Metrix www.siliconenergy.com– Z-Power www.z-power.com
Billing Simulation Software– EZ Sim www.ezsim.com
Consulting Services– Energy Service Companies www.rebuild.org
Prepared by Stellar Processeswww.ezsim.com