calculating rated power and bigger questions

The idea is to isolate the scheduled run time from the overall power. Power is a design issue, energy use is an operational issue. Since schedules vary considerably it is more difficult to do comparisons.

I was not stating my opinion on one vs the other, I was stating why I thought it is the way it is from a comparative perspective. This is a design based credit in a design based rating system. At this point there are no occupants to offer operational solutions. Design professionals understand W/sf but not kWh/sf. So that is why it is the way it is in my opinion. You make a good point about understanding operational issues related to energy use. Not sure how much influence these calculations have since they are just a prediction and the real bottom line is in the actual operation. Just like an energy model the true value of making a prediction is when you compare it to the actual data and learn from it. Just making the prediction has very limited value in my expereince. It is my understanding that only newly purchased equipment counts. This was a change awhile back. I have argued in the past that all the existing equipment should count. Operationally the organization should have already been purchasing Energy Star equipment. To let a project buy one new copier and exempt the rest of what they are going to use makes no sense to me.

Agreed, the equipment actually USED is what is vital. In the case of commercial kitchens, it's a shame that old equipment can be re-used and the job isn't penalized, particularly when it comes to dishwashers, where the water usage has dropped dramatically. Example, over 300 gallons/hour down to 112-126. E/S standard is based on gallons per rack, one rack, 2.5 people approx. and idle energy, which is like "breaktime" for a dishwasher, because it isn't running. Dishwashers are frequently leased from chemical companies, however, and end up NIC, but their water and power are generally listed in the job.

LEED Interpretation 10400 outlines an alternative option to use kWh instead of kW.