Date
Inquiry

The project has developed a strategy for energy savings using diesel power generators on site and considering fossil fuel rates in lieu of utility demand rates during peak time. EnergyPlus results for the project have confirmed that savings with this particular strategy correspond to 14% of the baseline energy cost. Energy consumption rates are regulated by the local utility. - Peak Time: 107.56 USD/MWh | Off-Peak Time: 67.33 USD/MWh During off-peak time, the energy consumption rate will be considered in both baseline and proposed design calculations. During peak time, the energy consumption rate will be considered only in baseline. In the proposed design, power generators will operate on site during this period and the local utility will not be the supplier; consequently, the energy consumption rate will consider only the fossil fuel to operate the power generators. - Fossil Fuel: 405.50 USD/MWh Demand rates are regulated by the local utility. - Peak Time: 16.93 USD/kW | Off-peak Time: 4.15 USD/kW During off-peak time, the demand rate will be considered in both baseline and proposed design calculations. During peak time, the demand rate will be considered only in baseline. In the proposed design, power generators will operate on site during this period and the local utility will not be the supplier; consequently, the demand is free of charge. Running Energy Plus for a single month, the project has had the following results. - Energy Consumption Peak Time: 65 MWh | Off-Peak Time: 610 MWh - Demand Peak Time: 1,918 kW | Off-Peak Time: 3,196 kW Considering only this month as an example of energy savings (the actual simulation takes into account the whole year), calculations should go as follows. Baseline: 65 MWh x USD 107.56 + 610 MWh x USD 67.33 + 1,918 kW x USD 16.93 + 3,196 kW x USD 4.15 = USD 93,797.84 Proposed: 65 MWh x USD 405.50 + 610 MWh x US$ 67.33 + 1,918 kW x USD 0.00 + 3,196 kW x US$ 4.15 = USD 80,692.20 (14% less cost than that from the baseline) This CIR is to confirm that the approach described above is acceptable for achieving points in EA credit 1, considering power generators on site and reducing billing rates.

Ruling

The applicant is requesting clarification regarding whether peak shaving of purchased electric demand accomplished through on-site diesel generators may be used to demonstrate energy cost savings for EAc1. These cost savings may only be reflected if the generators are modeled using the methodology defined in the CHP Calculation Methodology for LEED-NC v2.2 EA Credit 1 (https://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=1354) and the generation system meets all of the CHP System Qualifications criteria listed in this document. Most diesel generators will not meet the requirements spelled out in the CHP calculation methodology. Applicable Internationally.

Internationally Applicable
On
Campus Applicable
Off