Attributing Building Energy Code Savings to Energy Efficiency Programs

Leveraging Building Energy Codes to Maximize Energy Savings
New study provides guidance to states exploring options to link utility efficiency programs with energy codes savings

LEXINGTON, MA , February 28, 2013 - As states increasingly look to utilities to play an active role in supporting building energy codes, a new report from a coalition of energy efficiency advocates, has been issued to provide guidance for how state regulatory commissions and energy offices can best develop and evaluate such efforts. 

The report, Attributing Building Energy Code Savings to Energy Efficiency Programs, developed by the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) Evaluation, Measurement and Verification (EM&V) Forum; the Institute for Market Transformation (IMT); and IEE, an institute of the Edison Foundation, provides in-depth guidance on program options, evaluation protocol, and regulatory considerations for efficiency program administrators and policymakers.

Utility-supported energy codes programs are generally in their infancy and face challenges to adoption and scalability, including the lack of uniform standards for crediting utilities with associated program savings. This report investigates evaluation mechanisms or “frameworks” used in states such as California, Arizona, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island and reviews potential hybrid approaches that balance considerations such as potential energy savings, resource requirements, cost-effectiveness, and defensibility.

“Building energy codes represent tremendous opportunities for states to meet their increasingly aggressive energy savings goals,” ” explained Susan Coakley, executive director of NEEP.  “Utilities and other administrators of ratepayer funded energy efficiency programs provide an ideal opportunity to both inform and support the development and implementation of codes. This report offers guidance for developing frameworks that connect the two by providing options for policy makers to allow the  utilities to claim  energy savings from code support effortless as part of their overall efficiency programs.”

Recognizing that there is no one-size-fits all approach, the report provides an overview of  the code and utility policy environment in 17 diverse states to help categorize the unique opportunities and challenges posed by local conditions.

“State and local building codes are a cornerstone of U.S. energy policy, so this is an exciting but relatively untested area of utility engagement” said Sarah Stellberg, manager of research and policy analysis at IMT. “Our goal for this report was to provide actionable guidance for policymakers, PAs, and regulators as they test the waters with new codes program activities.”

“Utilities are exploring every possible activity to affect energy efficiency within homes and businesses” said Lisa Wood, Executive Director of IEE, “and developing guidance on how to design, implement, and assess the performance of utility-supported building energy codes programs provides yet another cost-effective option for the electric utility industry to deliver energy savings to its customers.”

The Cadmus Group, Inc. (Cadmus) and its partners, Energy Futures Group, NMR, and Optimal Energy (the Cadmus team) performed the study and produced this research report with invaluable input from an Advisory Committee members including state PUC commissioners and staff, utility program administrators, non-governmental organizations, and regional efficiency organizations.

Download the report, Attributing Building Energy Code Savings to Energy Efficiency Programs at http://neep.org.

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ABOUT NEEP:  NEEP is a regional non-profit whose mission is to serve the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic to accelerate energy efficiency in the building sector through public policy, program strategies and education. The Regional Evaluation, Measurement, and Verification Forum, a project facilitated by NEEP supports the development and use of consistent protocols to evaluate, measure, verify, and report the savings, costs, and emission impacts of energy efficiency and other demand-side resources around the region. Visit www.neep.org for more details.

ABOUT IEE: IEE is an Institute of the Edison Foundation focused on advancing the adoption of innovative and efficient technologies among electric utilities and their technology partners that will transform the power grid. IEE promotes the sharing of information, ideas, and experiences among regulators, policymakers, technology companies, thought leaders, and the electric power industry.  IEE also identifies policies that support the business case for adoption of cost-effective technologies.  IEE’s members are committed to an affordable, reliable, secure, and clean energy future.  For more information, visit www.edisonfoundation.net/iee

ABOUT IMT: The Institute for Market Transformation (IMT) is a Washington, DC-based nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting energy efficiency, green building, and environmental protection in the United States and abroad. Much of IMT’s work addresses market failures that inhibit investment in energy efficiency. For more information, visit imt.org.

New Green Building Book Measures Sustainability of World's Greenest Buildings

This post was approved by the Senior Editor of www.imodular.com, a GBM Marketing, Inc. web property.

Media Registration for LIGHTFAIR International 2013 is Now Open

Media Registration for LIGHTFAIR International 2013 is Now Open

Click here for media registration now.

 

 

LIGHTFAIR is just two months away and we're looking forward to seeing you in Philadelphia!

 

LIGHTFAIR® International (LFI®) will expand its product presentation and increase its scale in 2013 with the addition of two high-profile categories – solar power and software – occupying newly added Hall F space in Philadelphia's Pennsylvania Convention Center.  The 2013 additions accelerate LFI's continuing growth as the world's largest annual architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference.  The new categories will advance its footprint to produce the largest trade show in LFI's 23-year history.

 

Pre-Conference

4.21.13 – 4.22.13

Trade Show & Conference

4.23.13 – 4.25.13

 

Click here for media registration now.

 

Helpful Links:

Hall F/What's New at LFI 2013?

Floor Plan

Exhibitor List

Conference Information

Keynotes

Hotel & Travel Information

Green Building Show EP 20 -- kitchen and bathroom trends

This post was approved by the Senior Editor of www.imodular.com, a GBM Marketing, Inc. web property.

Urban Green Council Releases Important NYC Study

This is a start with a goal. Measuring the progress is going to be another story. New York City Can Mitigate Climate Change through Buildings and Infrastructure NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 14 --- The country's largest city can feasibly reduce its carbon emissions 90 percent by 2050, according to a study released today by Urban Green Council. President Obama stressed the importance of building efficiency in his State of the Union, announcing a goal to cut energy waste from homes and businesses in half over the next 20 years. The timely study, 90 By 50, finds that by updating and streamlining the city's buildings and infrastructure, New York City can meet that goal and more, reducing its greenhouse gas emissions to the levels identified by scientists as necessary to contain climate change. Issued in the wake of Superstorm Sandy and other unprecedented weather events that re-focused attention on building preparedness, 90 By 50 shows the dramatic role urban buildings can play in mitigating climate change. Buildings are New York City's greatest contributor to carbon pollution, producing 75 percent of its greenhouse gas emissions. The transportation sector accounts for another 21 percent. Climate scientists say carbon pollution must be reduced 80 percent worldwide by 2050 to ensure a safe, sustainable environment. To do the study, a virtual New York City was created using key building types. The model was then adjusted to improve future buildings using currently available technologies like improved insulation, the use of heat pumps, and transportation electrification. The result: a building sector that is essentially free of carbon pollution. Environmental and urban leaders agree that our current infrastructure is unsustainable but disagree on the feasibility of finding a solution. 90 By 50 is the first study to tactically demonstrate how an American city can tangibly and affordably meet the challenges of climate change.  "The buildings we live in can play a crucial role in the sustainability of society and the planet. This study shows us that an energy-efficient and innovative New York is possible—and necessary. If New York—the complicated nerve center of the country—can do this without breaking the bank, any city in the world can," said Urban Green Council Executive Director Russell Unger. The study assumes that buildings will remain functionally the same as today, without sacrificing physical comfort. All tactics tested are either currently available or reasonably foreseeable. The cost of the changes is neutral when the economy and other factors are considered. About Urban Green Council Urban Green Council is the New York Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Its mission is to advance the sustainability of urban buildings through education, advocacy and research. The nonprofit is a trusted advisor to Mayor Bloomberg and the New York City government on building resiliency and efficiency. Urban Green Council recently convened the city's Building Resiliency Task Force in the wake of Superstorm Sandy and will release recommendations in June.

Copyright © 2012 Urban Green Council, U.S. Green Building Council New York Chapter. All Rights Reserved. 20 Broad Street, Suite 709, New York, NY 10005

 

Announcing March 13-14 High Performance Sustainable Schools Workshop

HIGH PERFORMANCE SUSTAINABLE SCHOOLS: THE PROOF AND THE PROMISE

March 13-14, 2013

Marriott RiverCenter - Covington, KY

If you aspire to high performance buildings for your clients, for your
school, for your students-this workshop is for you.

This two-day workshop will demonstrate proven results of the high
performance building process in Kentucky schools and districts. Sessions
will be led by architects, engineers and facilities directors who have
successfully designed, built, operated and maintained high performance
school buildings.

Day one will include a tour of Turkey Foot Middle School, a net-zero ready
middle school featuring natural lighting, solar collection, insulated
concrete, rainwater harvesting and a green roof. The tour will include one
track for the design professional and one track that will focus on
educational opportunities.


REGISTER NOW: WWW.REGONLINE.COM/HPSS2013 <http://www.regonline.com/HPSS2013>

Lennox’ Environ™ Coil system now available on all Energence® rooftop units up to 25 tons

Lennox' Environ™ Coil system now available on all Energence® rooftop units up to 25 tons

Dallas, TX – (January 29, 2013) –Lennox has expanded the availability of its Environ™ Coil System to 4-, 6-, 13-, 17.5- and 25-ton Energence® rooftop unit models, completing the product lineup to 25 tons. The Environ Coil System will now come standard on Energence rooftop unit models, with the tube-and-fin condenser coil available as an option.

The all-aluminum Environ condenser coil offers a significant reduction in refrigerant charge requirements, with innovative technology that helps maximize reliability and sustainability. It uses up to 52% less refrigerant than a traditional tube-and-fin condenser coil, providing sustainable savings. Additionally, the coil's all-aluminum construction results in a significantly lighter unit weight - up to 59% lighter than traditional coils - shaving a total of approximately 149 pounds, for example, from a 15-ton rooftop unit. Less brazed joints, up to 20% less compared to that of tube and fin coils, decreases the potential for leakage, increasing the reliability of the system. Finally, a mounting configuration that uses rubber inserts, provides vibration dampening to prevent damage during shipping as well as isolation to protect against corrosion. A 3-year warranty is included with the Environ Coil System.

About Lennox Industries Inc.
A worldwide leader in residential and commercial heating and air conditioning systems, Lennox Industries Inc. is based near Dallas, Texas. Deeply committed to helping consumers and businesses reduce energy needs and lessen their environmental impact, the company offers a wide range of resources for improving efficiency, including a selection of ENERGY STAR® qualified products. Lennox Industries is a subsidiary of Lennox International Inc. and is a global leader in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration markets. Lennox International stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "LII." To learn more about Lennox International, visit www.lennoxinternational.com. To learn more about Lennox Industries, contact a Lennox sales representative or visit www.lennox.com.

News: PV Power Plant for Concrete Manufacturer

5 acre ground mount system provides electricity to high-usage consumer; PPA guarantees electricity rate for 25 years

Dublin (Georgia), January 29, 2013. – MAGE SOLAR, a turn-key provider of optimally coordinated solar PV solutions, and Paradise Energy Solutions, an integrator company operating in nine North Eastern states, announced the completion of a 1.12 MW system for Martin Limestone Inc.

 

Martin Limestone, Inc. is a construction materials supplier providing aggregates, hot-mix asphalt, paving, and concrete products from plants in several locations throughout Pennsylvania. Staying cost competitive without compromising quality has been a huge challenge for the industry in general, especially as utility costs are continually rising. For its New Holland facility Martin Limestone decided to opt for a renewable energy system that would give it a long-term financial advantage. The site is home to a block and ready-mix manufacturing plant as well as warehouses, stores, and offices.

 

But rather than investing in and securing financing for a solar system that would cover nearly 50% of the energy needs for the New Holland Concrete facility, the company chose to engage in a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Sunstream Energy. Sunstream Energy, a sister company of Paradise Energy, is leasing five acres of land on New Holland Concrete’s property where it has installed the 1.12 MW solar farm. In return, Sunstream Energy sells the generated electricity to New Holland Concrete under a 25-year fixed rate.

 

"As a business this project allows us to lock in reasonable long-term electric rates using a clean, renewable power source without a significant upfront investment," comments Jeff Detwiler, chief executive officer of Martin Limestone, the owner of New Holland Concrete. "The system also generates the highest amounts of power during our peak production times."

 

The 4,480 MAGE POWERTEC PLUS modules are mounted on 8 rows of ground mounts and are expected to generate 1.5 million kWh annually, enough electricity to power about 150 homes. Paradise Energy built the system, one of the county’s largest, in only four months and will continue to monitor it for optimal maximum power production. Since the MAGE POWERTEC PLUS modules are warranted to produce 0 to +5 W tolerances only, the system is engineered to generate the highest energy yields possible. Additionally MAGE SOLAR’s signature 30-year 80% power output guarantee ensures some of the longest ROI periods in the industry.

 

"This project created numerous jobs during the construction phase,” said Tim Beiler, CEO of Paradise Energy Solutions. “It is mutually beneficial to the investor, Sunstream Energy, and to the end user of the electricity, Martin Limestone.  I have been thrilled with the cooperation from all parties involved to make this project happen, helping to create a bright and sustainable future for the community."
 

Financing for the system was made possible in part by the Department of Treasury’s 1603 grant program which covered 30% of the project costs, as well as favorable bonus depreciation rules for solar energy systems. The system was commenced at the end of December 2012. 

 

 “The Martin Limestone installation is a particularly great example of the role renewable energy systems play as a valuable economic tool,” adds Joe Thomas, President and CEO of MAGE SOLAR USA. “They have the power to leverage competitiveness and manage operating expenses for the long-term even for high energy users like Martin Limestone. Our sincere thanks and appreciation also go to our partners at Paradise Energy for executing this project so swiftly and competently.”

Limestone, a construction materials supplier based in East Earl, PA. © Paradise Ener

MAGE SOLAR – The Sun on Your Side

MAGE SOLAR USA, headquartered in Dublin, Georgia, specializes in complete solar systems and provides high-quality photovoltaic modules, intelligent mounting systems and high-performance brand inverters. As a subsidiary of the international MAGE GROUP, it uses the Group’s 40 years of know-how to develop optimally coordinated system solutions. A competent partner network guarantees profitable solar energy systems for customers throughout the Americas and in 21 more countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. In 2011, the company generated U$280 in sales with around 180 employees.

www.magesolar.com

www.linkedin.com/company/mage-solar-projects-inc
www.facebook.com/magesolar                           

www.twitter.com/mage_solar

 

Paradise Energy Solutions

Paradise Energy Solutions, LLC is an experienced and qualified solar energy contractor with offices in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Ohio.  They are a fully licensed and insured Solar Energy Contractor in Pennsylvania (PA), New Jersey (NJ), Maryland (MD), Delaware (DE), New York (NY), Massachusetts (MA), Ohio (OH), and Illinois (IL).  They are also an “Approved Solar PV Installer” under many state rebate programs in the states listed.   Paradise Energy has 45 employees and has installed a total of over 5 megawatts of solar-power as of the end of 2012.  In addition, Paradise Energy Solution’s CEO Tim Beiler, as well as Larry Beiler, Manager of PA Operations, have earned the industry's leading recognition of expertise as a certified installer of solar electric systems (aka "photovoltaic" or "PV" systems) and certified technical sales from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).

 

www.paradisesolarenergy.com

www.linkedin.com/company/paradise-energy-solutions-llc
www.facebook.com/ParadiseEnergySolutions                 

www.twitter.com/paradisesolar

 

 

About Sunstream Energy

Sunstream Energy, a sister company of Paradise Energy Solutions, is a growing investment company that specializes in large Solar systems. Owned and operated by four brothers, they have more than a megawatt of solar production.

 

About Martin Limestone

Martin Limestone, a division of New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc., is a mining, manufacturing, and paving construction company based in East Earl, PA.  Their construction materials are produced for agricultural and industrial uses as well as the construction of roads, homes, athletic facilities and corporate and industrial buildings throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

Climate Change and Coastal Land Use: A Game Changer for the Business of City Building

WASHINGTON (January 24, 2013) – The impact of climate change will play a greater role in shaping coastal development in the years ahead, influencing decisions on what is built and rebuilt, where and how it is built, and how it is insured and financed, according to insurance and real estate professionals speaking at a global policy and practice forum hosted by the Urban Land Institute (ULI).

The increased frequency of property casualties associated extreme weather events, including severe hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, storm surges, and drought-fueled fires, as well as significant sea level increases are changing how property risk is valued, noted the panelists.  The changes in both extreme weather events and risks are compelling the real estate industry to explore new development practices that implement adaptive measures that better protect both the built and natural environment.  Increased climate risks are also raising awareness of the need for more investments to make existing buildings more energy efficient and reduce the carbon emissions associated with buildings.

"For the real estate industry, the risk posed to urbanized coastal areas by climate change has become a global issue with dramatic local ramifications. It's one of several drivers – along with economic, demographic and societal changes – that are necessitating a different approach to coastal development in the twenty-first century," said ULI Chief Executive Officer Patrick L. Phillips. "Whether necessitated by reasons related to market demand or environmental concerns, rebuilding presents an opportunity to reduce risk in the future, enhance livability, restore natural resources, and increase community resilience." 

The forum, "Resilience and Risk in Coastal Regions," held January 16-17 in Washington, D.C., included representatives of the federal government, local governments, investors, property owners and leading members of the insurance and reinsurance industries.  Among the panelists' observations and predictions:    

• Mark-to-market pricing could be replaced by "mark-to-future" pricing that reflects external factors such as a community's sea wall height and internal factors such as whether the building mechanical systems are elevated in a building. "This century will be about high volatility and huge uncertainty…Planning will be stepped up for events related to climate change, and buildings will be assessed for what will break."
• Population growth and the rise of the global middle class is accelerating the urbanization of coastal cities worldwide, increasing their vulnerability to high losses of life and property damage from catastrophic storms.
• In the U.S., compromised infrastructure systems are adding to the risks faced by these rapidly growing areas. "Reinsurers and insurers are facing increasing losses around the globe, and what it boils down to is how to deal with uncertainty going forward."
• Risk assessments are being adjusted to account for the fact that storms originating off the coast are increasingly having a major effect on geographic areas far beyond the initial landfall point, reaching places where buildings are not constructed to the same standards as those on the coast.
• Several lessons resulted from Hurricane Sandy that can be applied to urban planning for the future:  1) Critical infrastructure (such as electricity grids) should be restructured to provide more individualized service on a block-by-block basis, so whole communities do not lose power at once; 2) Land uses need to be reevaluated, in terms of which areas should not be rebuilt or rebuilt differently; 3) Consideration should be given to elevating water and sewer systems to factor in sea level increases; and 4) a new system of infrastructure financing, such as an infrastructure bank, is needed to generate funds to upgrade and build more weather-resilient systems.
• The carbon footprint of buildings will increasingly affect property values and the availability of financing. Tenants seeking to lower their own carbon emissions will choose to lease space in high performing buildings, even if the rent is more expensive. "Carbon is the new asbestos for real estate; and it's on everyone's balance sheet."
• Property insurance underwriting is being driven by the desire for market share, which is causing many companies to be heavily exposed in areas inadequately prepared to withstand natural and manmade disasters. More programs are needed to incentivize cities to implement adaptation measures.
• The costs of business interruption are often far higher than those for replacing properties and repairing damage, but business interruption is seldom reflected in policy coverage. In addition to the vulnerability of their own locations, companies need to gauge the risks posed by the locations of partners such as parts suppliers. As storms become more frequent and intense, long-term economic losses will eclipse property destruction as the major threat to urban prosperity. 
• More and more coastal areas are being affected not just by major storms, but by "non-event" weather that is flooding heavily built-up shorelines. A more balanced approach is needed that reflects the likelihood of future damage (and thus avoids rebuilding in the most disaster-prone areas), but which also recognizes that coastal real estate is a key economic driver. One likely outcome: greater use of the waterfront as open space, which creates value for the entire community but can also act as a protective barrier to storm surges.

Observed forum keynote speaker Fred Krupp, president of the Environmental Defense Fund: "Finding solutions to climate change is not an easy path, but a necessary path. We must keep talking about these issues, because we have paid a heavy price for our silence."

About the Urban Land Institute

The Urban Land Institute (www.uli.org) is a nonprofit education and research institute supported by its members. Its mission is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. Established in 1936, the Institute has nearly 30,000 members representing all aspects of land use and development disciplines.

 

ASHRAE Seeks Input on Revisions to Data Centers in 90.1 Energy Standard Scope

ASHRAE Seeks Input on Revisions to Data Centers in 90.1 Energy Standard Scope

ATLANTA – Addendum cs to ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2010, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, is open for advisory public review from Jan. 4-Feb. 3, 2013. The addendum proposes changes to definitions for computer rooms and data centers in Standard 90.1 to create a distinction between facilities covered by 90.1 and those which are intended to be under the scope of ASHRAE Standard 90.4P, Energy Standard for Data Centers and Telecommunications Buildings, proposed by ASHRAE in late 2012.

The definition proposed for computer rooms more closely aligns with ASHRAE Standard 100, Energy Efficiency in Existing Buildings, and the U.S. Energy Information Administration's Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS). In addition, the definition is consistent with Uptime Institutes' "Tier Standard: Topology" and the Telecommunications Industry Association ANSI/TIA-942 class rating for low-risk Tier I data centers. High risk data centers such as those designed as Tier II or greater per ANSI/TIA942 or ones with mechanical cooling system redundancy are expected to be covered by the 90.4P standard now under development.

Steve Skalko, chair of the Standard 90.1 committee, said with the development of Standard 90.4P feedback is needed from the industry to clarify the scope and definitions of each standard. Energy conservation requirements for high risk data centers, initially covered by Standard 90.1-2010, are expected to be detailed in the 90.4P standard. Computer rooms, which can include low-risk data centers, would remain under the scope of Standard 90.1.

"The costs and approaches used in determining appropriate HVAC applications used to achieve energy efficiency are different," he said.

Computer rooms, which by the proposed definitions include low-risk data centers, are usually associated with electronic equipment spaces that are not considered risks and therefore money is typically not spent to install levels of component and systems redundancies. Computer rooms may be ancillary functions and add loads in a larger building and often are served from the same central cooling plants.

Computer rooms are designed to provide local data processing and information storage for in-house end users and clients, which the owner has deemed very low risk. Risk choices are made to reduce total life cycle costs associated with not only system selection and operation, but potential failures, business interruptions, continuity plans and overall company specific business model features like staffing requirements, according to Skalko.

By comparison, data centers designed as Tier II or greater per ANSI/TIA942 or ones with mechanical cooling system redundancy carry more risk, he said. Industry studies indicate downtime associated with such risk can cost tens of thousands of dollars a minute, with the potential to negate both past energy savings and future business viability in a single act. The demand for data centers has grown, as the electronic equipment needs have evolved with the huge demand for data processing services and storage in the age of digital devices.

A data center has the function to support the electronic equipment that commonly provides services to outside or external clients, hence the heightened awareness of risk and risk mitigation approaches employed. Data centers can support everything from an individual enterprise all the way to hosting services on the internet and must provide maximum operational run time on a 24-7 basis. These facilities are built with multiple levels of component redundancy, providing at least an N+1 mechanical cooling capacity redundancy, if not greater, as well as operational resiliency (increased staffing hours and expertise), Skalko said.

To comment or to learn more, visit www.ashrae.org/publicreviews.

ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is a building technology society with more than 50,000 members worldwide. The Society and its members focus on building systems, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, refrigeration and sustainability within the industry. Through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education, ASHRAE shapes tomorrow's built environment today.