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Microgrid Energy performs energy audits, or energy assessments, for commercial businesses across the country. Depending on the locale, there may be utility incentives to defray the cost of the audit. Not all energy audits are the same, and it is helpful to understand the various levels of audits that are performed. An energy audit is a systematic approach to problem solving and decision making. The primary goals of an energy audit are to qualify and quantify how the building energy systems are performing now, how that performance can be improved, and what will be the outcomes of those improvements for the Owner in financial and non-financial terms. Energy audits vary in depth, depending on the configuration of the building energy systems, the project parameters set by the client, and the scope and capabilities offered by the energy auditor. Because it usually is not possible to know where the audit process will lead and what level of effort will be most cost effective, ASHRAE (American Society of
Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) has defined three progressive levels, or types, of audits.
deciding whether further evaluation is warranted; and if so, where and how to focus that effort. The Level-1 also will outline the range of potential financial incentives available from Federal, State, Local, and Utility sources. Microgrid Energy includes an ASHRAE Level-1 audit/assessment as part of all of our Solar Installations.
Occupants to explore potential problem areas, and clarify financial and non-financial goals of the program. The Level-2 audit should result in a clear and concise report and briefing with the Owner and Management Team describing a variety of Energy Efficiency Measures (EEMs) including no- and low-cost measures, modifications to system controls and building automation, operational changes, and potential capital upgrades. The findings should include general costs and performance metrics, as well as a means for the Owner to evaluate the EEMs and decide how to proceed with implementation. Many of the EEMs revealed during the ASHRAE Level-2 audit can be implemented quickly with rapid or immediate financial payback for the Owner. Other EEMs will require more detailed analysis of benefit and cost and the other goals that are important to the Owner. The audit should define next steps to accomplish this analysis and decision making. Sometimes it is through discussion with manufacturers or suppliers or other relatively simple means. For other EEMs, involving complex interaction among building systems and potentially large financial investments, it may be necessary to dig deeper into the building operation and also the human factors influencing performance. This is where the ASHRAE Level-3 audit becomes essential.
will be placed temporarily to monitor the operation of pumps and motors, temperatures of affected spaces, lighting levels, switching behavior, and other factors. These data are used to calibrate the computer model of the facility, so that the computer model responds to inputs and changes the same way the building could be expected to respond. This calibration is checked and validated by simulating a year or more of past, minute-by-minute climate conditions to see if power and energy usage in the model mirrors actual energy power and energy usage. Once the three-dimensional computer model is responding like the real building, changes to energy systems can be simulated with very accurate results. Combining that process with construction-grade cost estimating supports informed investment decisions. The table below summarizes each level.
Type of Audit Level 1 Highlights
Level 2
Rapid assessment of building energy systems Building energy benchmark High-level definition of energy system optimization opportunitiesOutline applicable incentive programs Detailed building survey of systems and operations Breakdown of energy source and end use
Identification of EEMs for each energy system Range of savings and costs for the EEMs Spotlight on Operational Discrepancies Outlining priorities for limited resources, next steps, and identification of EEMs requiring more thorough data collection and analysis (ASHRAE Level-3) Level 3 Longer term data collection and analysis Whole-building computer simulation calibrated with field data Accurate modeling of EEMs and power/energy response Bid-level construction cost estimating Investment-grade, decision-making support Before beginning an energy audit for a building or portfolio of buildings, we recommend a preliminary energy-use analysis to compare the Energy Usage Index (EUI) of each building with the national average and to identify both high and low energy performers. This usually is done using the Energy Star Portfolio Manager benchmarking tool. This analysis requires access to energy consumption and cost data for the last 12-36 months. Once this benchmarking analysis is completed a recommendation is made as to which buildings should be audited first and the type of audits to be carried out.
Microgrid Energy provides Energy Star benchmarking, ASHRAE Level-1, -2, and -3 audits for buildings ranging from 3,000,000 square foot convention centers and professional sports stadiums to 10,000 square foot office buildings. These audits, and the upgrade that is completed as a result, usually will qualify for utility and tax incentives.