Further to a preliminary review of project located outside the U.S. we are asked to provide a summary of findings relating to the generation of the project building site Energy Utilization Index identifying a target index and the potential cost savings that might be met by achieving the target index. However, the project meets EAp2 using the Energy Star Portfolio Manager tool. Additionally, according to EAp1 LEED Online form: “If the project team has used the ENERGY STAR's Portfolio Manager to perform the comparison of the energy use intensity against similar characteristics, the EA Prerequisite 2 documentation may be referenced from the ASHRAE Level 1 data upload, and #1 and #2 above do not need to be explicitly included in the ASHRAE Level 1 data upload”. It is noted, that unless using the Energy Star Portfolio Manager Tool, the target index cannot be calculated since using the Target Index Finder alone does not allow to use non-U.S. weather stations.
From our understanding we need to submit the Statement of Energy Design Intent (1 page pdf document) from the project profile within the Energy Star Portfolio Manager. Is this the only documentation required?
Dave Hubka
Practice Leader - SustainabilityEUA
LEEDuser Expert
494 thumbs up
October 12, 2015 - 9:54 am
For most of our projects the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager is used to benchmark the building's energy consumption and perform the comparison of energy use intensity against similar characteristics. Within our energy audit report we reference the EAp2 uploaded documents. The EAp2 uploaded documents include the SEP, data verification checklist, and copies of the utility bills.
Charalampos Giannikopoulos
Senior Sustainability ConsultantDCarbon
84 thumbs up
October 12, 2015 - 10:05 am
Thanks David, however doesn't it seem unclear why the reviewer is asking to provide the Energy Utilization Index since we have used ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager to document EAp2? This was our understanding of the relevant instruction in EAp1 form.
Dave Hubka
Practice Leader - SustainabilityEUA
LEEDuser Expert
494 thumbs up
October 12, 2015 - 10:23 am
Without seeing your completed LEED Online templates or uploaded documents my suspicion is that you did not complete the Preliminary Energy Use Analysis within the ASHRAE Level I Energy Audit correctly.
Here is an excerpt from one of our Preliminary Energy Use Analysis reports:
"The first step to understanding a building’s energy consumption and cost efficiency is to gather and tabulate building information. This information can be used to generate the Energy Utilization Index (EUI) of the building.
The next step is to compare the EUI of the project building to similar buildings located in similar climates. This will allow the project team and building owner to evaluate if the project is above average or below average with respect to energy consumption. Projects that consume more energy than similar buildings should provide more options to reduce energy consumption.
A target EUI must be derived for the project building from a database of similar buildings located within similar climates. More than 50% of the building is designated as office space, and supporting office functions, therefore the online ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager has been used to benchmark the facility. The ENERGY SCORE of the project building is 79 (based on SEP generated May 20, 2013 for period ending March 31, 2013). The target Energy Utilization Index was arbitrarily selected by the Energy Auditor. The target EUI was selected to increase the current ENERGY Score up to 84.
Finally a calculation was performed to demonstrate to the owner how much money could be saved each year if the target Energy Utilization Index was achieved by the project team. Costs for electricity has been calculated. (other energy sources – natural gas, fuel oil, purchased chilled water, steam, etc.. - are not supplied to the building). Cost calculations include on-peak, off-peak and demand charges.
The Preliminary Energy Use Analysis performed by this project followed the procedures and forms provided by the “ASHRAE Procedures for Commercial Building Energy Audits 2nd Edition”.
TARGET ENERGY SCORE GENERATION
The Statement of Energy Performance Summary calculated the site Energy Utilization Index of the project building to be 81 kBtu/ft2/year.
The selected target ENERGY SCORE of 84 correlates to a site Energy Utilization Index of 75 kBtu/ft2/year. This would provide an annual reduction of energy consumption by 8% when compared to the current energy consumption.
ANNUAL ENERGY SAVINGS if target score is achieved:
81 kBtu/ft2/year – 75 kBtu/ft2/year = 6 kBtu/ft2/year"