M&V and EPC Process Automation

Energy Analytics will develop an integrated workflow and set of related tools and processes addressing the time intensive nature of performing energy model validation and calibration in Measurement & Verification practice and in constructing Investment Grade energy models for use in Energy Performance Contract (EPC) feasibility assessment and proposal development. Both of these commercial practices require accurate integration of actual utility use and cost with detailed building systems models for the purpose of achieving reliable predictive representation of operating buildings. In the case of M&V practice, the validated model is often used to verify that predicted energy savings for new construction and green building certification have been achieved in the completed and occupied facility. When actual and expected utility use and cost do not agree, the validated model can serve as a basis for systems diagnostics and remediation.In the case of EPC proposal development for existing buildings, historical utility billing data is combined with site audits and an appropriate level of modeling to perform energy measures studies to quantify cost, benefit and return on investment for specific measures. On the basis of the modeling and projected benefits, a long-term contract may then be defined involving significant capital investment with expected energy use and cost savings to the building owner and financial returns to the EPC firm. An extension and application of this overall approach is related to current urgent focus on resiliency and opportunities to integrate sets of buildings included in municipal or campus critical infrastructure into assured power microgrids capable of withstanding extended grid outages. Many states are currently sponsoring programs and providing grants to support design and development of microgrids, particularly in the Northeast following the impact of a number of recent “superstorms.” During Phase 1, Energy Analytics LLC will develop and demonstrate critical processes and tools and will implement interfaces to the OpenStudio platform and other external modeling tools.The focus of this proposed development is to automate manual methods and processes used in current consulting practice that will allow streamlined entry of baseline utility use and cost data, rapid and automated creation of accurate full resolution energy systems models including representative end use disaggregation and for microgrid and CHP applications, seamless interface to tools related to on-site energy production systems analysis.