For a high rise project the client is considering investing in micro-turbines to generate electrical power on site from natural gas. The utility company will provide the fuel at a reduced cost to encourage the private micro-turbine use. With this reduced fuel cost (the utility's modified rate) the energy model saves a significant percent of the operating cost for the overall building energy use. This seems to be a win-win option for larger buildings, and can support LEED points in the EAc1 credit.
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Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5867 thumbs up
November 2, 2014 - 6:27 pm
When you model them however, the gas rate needs to be identical in both models.
Sherman Aronson
Sr. AssociateBLT Architects
4 thumbs up
November 3, 2014 - 8:51 am
Understand. The modeling expects to see the same gas rate. On the other hand, the investment in the on-site equipment enables a reduced rate for the gas used for that purpose. It's unfortunate if the Owner's energy cost model can't benefit from that setup. Of course, they benefit in real expenses. Thanks.