Webinar: Customized Solutions: Best Practices for Documenting Energy Savings Calculations
Slide 1: Customized Solutions: Best Practices for Documenting Energy Savings Calculations
Script: This training session is brought to you by Southern California Edison (SCE).
Content: Presented by CLEAResult
Slide 2: Welcome! Meet your hosts
Script: Today’s training is presented by CLEAResult, a third party consulting firm.
My name is Eric Mullendore and I’ll be your presenter today. Joining me on the chat function in WebEx
is my colleague, Michelle Udem.
I’ll be providing some contact information at the end of the session in case you are interested in taking
advantage of these services.
Content: CLEAResult - Technical Support Services for Customer’s Authorized Agents
CAASupport-Projects@sce.com
Images: Photos of the hosts
Slide 3: Learning Objectives
Content:
•
Identify pitfalls in customer submitted utility incentive applications
•
Define the 4 key principles of effective engineering calculations
•
Learn best practices for documenting energy savings for utility energy efficiency programs
Slide 4: Context
Slide 5: SCE’s Energy Efficiency Programs
Script: A brief overview of SCE’s core energy efficiency programs. The most important thing to note is
that in Express Solutions, SCE has already created energy savings calculations representative of each
project scope so the applicant doesn’t have to submit site specific calculations.
In Customized Solutions, the applicant is responsible for submitting calculations demonstrating the
annual energy savings and average peak demand savings for the proposed project. Today’s presentation
is focused on improving these calculations.
Content: Express Solutions
Incentives for common high-efficiency equipment
•
One-time incentive paid on a fixed per-unit basis
•
Up to 100% of the project costs
•
No calculations needed
Customized Solutions
Incentives for more tailored projects
•
One-time incentive paid on project basis
•
Up to 50% of the project costs
•
Energy calculations required
Images: Pictures of HVAC, Lighting, and Food Service equipment.
Slide 6: Custom Review Process
Script: The energy savings calculations for Customized Solutions are typically conducted via the
assistance of engineering review firms during two major steps in of the custom process known as the
Project Application Phase (PA) Phase and the Installation Report (IR) Phase.
Content: Flow chart is as follows:
Application submission – Project Application (PA) Review – application approval – project installation
and Installation Report – Installation Review (IR) – incentive payment.
Slide 7: Current Practices
Script: Based on SCE’s experience reviewing submissions to Customized Solutions, the most common
issues arise from poor documentation of the engineering calculations. That’s why this presentation
focuses so much on the documentation aspect of the application process.
Content: After reviewing current practices of projects submitted over the past 5 years the following has
been found to be true:
•
PROJECT SCOPE – Basic to innovative
•
ENGINEERING/DESIGN – Generally satisfactory
•
CALC DOCUMENTATION – INCONSISTENT
Slide 8: What is D.A.R.E.?
Script: D.A.R.E. is an acronym that describes 4 principles that help define the characteristics of proper
documentation of energy savings calculations for utility incentive programs.
These 4 principles were developed by an SCE engineer named Ricson Chude, P.E.
Content:
D – Document equations/formulae
A – Accessible calculation files
R – Reference data source
E – Error free and replicable
Slide 9: D – Document equations/formulae
Slide 10: D.A.R.E. – Engineering Calcs Best Practices
Script: It is difficult for the technical reviewer to review calculations for accuracy if the underlying
engineering concepts aren’t clearly identified (i.e. how precisely is the project reducing energy
consumption).
Content: D – Document equations/formulae
DON’T provide only results without the supporting equations/calculations
DO trace the energy savings logic
Slide 11: D.A.R.E – Engineering Calcs Best Practices
Script: A good first place to start your search for standard engineering calculation methods is the
Customized Calculation Savings Guidelines document:
https://www.sceonlineapp.com/DocCounter.aspx?did=264
Content: D – Document equations/formulae
DON’T use % energy savings “guaranteed” in equipment sales brochures
DO use standard engineering calculation methods
Images: Logos for IES, ASHRAE and ASME.
Slide 12: D.A.R.E – Engineering Calcs Best Practices
Content: D – Document equations/formulae
DON’T use “in-house” or proprietary tools that a technical reviewer cannot access
DO utilize publicly available tools
DO define the calculation approach
Slide 13: A – Accessible calculation files
Slide 14: D.A.R.E – Engineering Calcs Best Practices
Script: It is extremely difficult to review a file, such as a PDF, that doesn’t include live calculations.
Content: A – Accessible calculation files
DON’T send a PDF copy of an engineering calculation
DO submit live calculations
Slide 15: D.A.R.E – Engineering Calcs Best Practices
Script: If using a whole building energy model to support your energy savings calculation, include all
relevant files required to generate the model in addition to the model’s outputs.
Content: A – Accessible calculation files
DON’T send partial files from an energy simulation
DO submit all relevant files
Slide 16: D.A.R.E – Engineering Calcs Best Practices
Script: Provide only documents that directly support your engineering calculations and try to clearly
organize the files to assist the reviewer in understanding what info has been submitted.
Content: A – Accessible calculation files
DON’T submit a zip folder full of files “related” to the project
DO provide a summary of submitted files
DO adopt a consistent file naming system
Images: Screen shot of a folder on a PC.
Slide 17: R – Reference data source
Slide 18: D.A.R.E – Engineering Calcs Best Practices
Script: It is important that the technical reviewer knows exactly where each input parameter in your
calculation came from.
Content: R – Reference data source
DON’T utilize multiple un-referenced data types and sources
METERED DATA vs. SPEC SHEET vs. ASSUMPTION
Images: equal sign with a cross over it.
Slide 19: D.A.R.E – Engineering Calcs Best Practices
Script: Metered or spec sheet data sources are generally preferable and are usually expected for the
most sensitive input parameters.
It’s also ok to make assumptions sometimes, as long as the source of each assumption is well
documented and generally accepted.
Content: R – Reference data source
DO make assumptions… where appropriate by referencing industry parameters & constants
Images: Table of data types, examples and method/sources.
Slide 20: D.A.R.E – Engineering Calcs Best Practices
Script: Many projects will require a code or industry standard practice baseline in addition to estimating
the energy use of the existing, ‘as-found’ equipment. You’ll need to consider both federal and state
codes (such as Title 24) when estimating the code baseline. If there isn’t an applicable code, you’ll want
to see if SCE and the CPUC have an approved Industry Standard Practice document. These files are
available via the Online Application Tool: https://www.sceonlineapp.com/Docs.aspx?dt=4
Content: R – Reference data source
DON’T ignore code requirements or industry standard practice parameters defined by SCE and the CPUC
DO meet design & energy standards
Slide 21: D.A.R.E – Engineering Calcs Best Practices
Script: This just became a lot easier for lighting projects since SCE is now requiring the use of default
hours for most common building types.
Content: R – Reference data source
DON’T use undocumented or justified operating hours
Image: Clock
Slide 22: D.A.R.E – Engineering Calcs Best Practices
Script: Operating hours are often one of the most sensitive input parameters. The table on this slide
demonstrates the impact a change in annual operating hours can have on a theoretical energy savings
project that reduces a customer’s average load by 15 kW when the equipment is operating.
Content: DO detail equipment operating schedule
DO perform data monitoring or review operator logs
Images: Table of hours per day and corresponding hours per year, kWh savings and incentive amounts.
Slide 23: E – Error free and replicable
Slide 24: D.A.R.E – Engineering Calcs Best Practices
Script: The last principle is the easiest to take for granted but can cause major heartache if it is taken
seriously on every project. Inconsistencies between calculations, supporting documentation (such as
invoices) and inspection results can cause the final incentive to vary considerably from initial estimates.
Content: E – Error free and replicable
Typical Issues :
•
Fixture Quantities
•
Project Invoices
•
Supporting Docs
DON’T submit calcs with missing data or blatant calculation errors
DO QC your work before submission
Slide 25: D.A.R.E – Engineering Calcs Best Practices
Content: E – Error free and replicable
DON’T utilize outdated or phased out energy calculators
DO update software tools regularly and, if applicable, adopt utility developed tools
Images: Table of commonly used tools.
Slide 26: D.A.R.E – Engineering Calcs Best Practices
Content: E – Error free and replicable
DON’T include “future” project phases or previously completed projects in the calculation
DO centralize project files and identify master project list
Phase 1
VSD Pumps
Phase 2
Cooling Tower
Application: VSD on pumps
Calculation: VSD on pumps, cooling tower upgrade
Installation: VSD on pumps, chiller replacement
Slide 27: Key Take Aways
Content:
•
It must be clear to the reviewer, where the numbers are coming from. Document the energy
savings logic through your project submittal package.
•
Avoid using proprietary tools; ensure calculation files/output and methodology ready for
review.
•
Operating parameters for both baseline and measure may utilize assumptions as long as they
are based on accepted and documented minimum efficiencies or industry codes & standards.
•
Utilizing utility developed tools and 3rd party reviewed tools is best as it will ensure the
calculation is error free and replicable by reviewer.
Slide 28: Questions?
Slide 29: Successful Applications Start Here!
Script: For technical support on your projects pre-application submittal, contact the Customer’s
Authorized Agent Technical Support team (CAASupport-Projects@sce.com). Our team is here to answer
your eligibility questions so that you can proceed with a project with confidence. We can also be a
resource when you are trying to design a more comprehensive project for your customer.
Regular editions of the Energy Solutions E-News are distributed monthly. This is a great resource for
ongoing changes to SCE Offerings, and also includes articles covering frequently asked questions and
announcements about training and education opportunities. To sign up for the Energy Solutions E-News,
email
CAASupport-News@sce.com.
Lastly, you can view previous training sessions through this Online Learning Center, and send questions,
suggestions or other feedback regarding trainings such as this one to CAASupport-Training@sce.com.
Content:
1. SCE’s Customer’s Authorized Agent Website
2. CAA Application Checklist
checklist.pdf
www.CAASupport.com
www.caasupport.com/documents/sce-caa-application-
3. Online Application Tool
4. Technical Support Service
or call (800) 935-5112
5. Energy Solutions E-News
6. Training and Education Opportunities
www.sceonlineapp.com
CAASupport-Projects@sce.com
CAASupport-News@sce.com
CAASupport-Training@sce.com
Slide 30: Additional Training Opportunities
Script: We have two webinars scheduled for April 2015.
Customized Solutions: Basic Terms, Calculations, and Application Processes
This webinar will deepen your knowledge of Customized Solutions by defining common terminology and
walking through a decision tree. The webinar will provide the tools and resources required to create a
complete Customized Solutions application, from determining incremental costs to selecting the
appropriate baseline.
When: Tuesday, April 14, 12:00pm – 12:30pm (webinar)
Express and Customized Overview: Energy Efficiency & Demand Response Offerings
We will define the Customer’s Authorized Agent role and explain how to become active. Participants will
acquire knowledge and tools required to successfully navigate Express and Customized Solutions for
SCE’s energy efficiency and demand response offerings, as well as context around why SCE provides
incentives.
When: Thursday, April 23, 12:00pm – 1:00pm (webinar)
You can send questions, suggestions or other feedback regarding trainings such as this one to
CAASupport-Training@sce.com.
Content:
Customized Solutions: Basic Terms, Calculations, and Application Processes
Tuesday, April 14, 12:00pm – 12:30pm (webinar)
Express and Customized Overview: Energy Efficiency & Demand Response Offerings
Thursday, April 23, 12:00pm – 1:00pm (webinar)
For more details, email CAASupport-Training@sce.com or
watch for updates in The Energy Solutions E-Newsletter!
Slide 31: SCE Demand-side Management Offerings
Script: Check out SCE’s web site for details on these additional demand-side management offerings.
Content: HVAC Optimization, Retrocommissioning Program, Demand Response Solutions
Slide 32: Thank you for your time. Please complete your online evaluation.