Electronic Auditing Tool with Geometry Capture
EW-201260
Objective
Energy audits provide valuable insights into site-specific energy conservation measures. Level III energy audits performed previously at federal facilities throughout the country contain recommendations that would reduce energy consumption by approximately 30% with a return on investment in less than 10 years. However, a level III energy audit costs $0.26 to $0.35/ft2, depending on the type, complexity, and size of the facility. The objective of this project is to demonstrate a tablet-based software tool that significantly lowers the cost of energy audits for the Department of Defense (DoD), improves the quality of these audits, and preserves the data to facilitate portfolio-wide tracking, reporting, decision making, and data reuse. The demonstration will be conducted at Naval Support Activity Monterey, California.
Technology Description
This project will integrate an established energy auditing methodology for DoD facilities, a building geometry capture software, an established whole-building energy simulation engine, and a database of building component information into a single computer-based tablet and desktop software tool for energy auditing. This tool will facilitate fast and accurate data collection, accelerate the identification and analysis of potential energy conservation measures, enhance the quality and consistency of audit reports, and store audit data in a standardized format. A portfolio management component will allow DoD to coordinate teams of auditors, organize and share audit data, and track and report portfolio-wide progress toward specific goals. Because of the standardized data format, audit data can be used as a baseline for future audits or leveraged for other uses, such as asset management and energy planning.
Benefits
The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 requires that federal agencies audit 25% of their facilities each year. Based on the 1.9 billion ft2 of facilities covered, DoD would spend $123 to $166 million annually for level III audits of these facilities. Use of the electronic auditing tool can decrease audit costs by 75%. The annual savings will increase over time as baseline data from previous audits are reused. Increased audit quality will result from allowing auditors to enter data electronically while on site, which will facilitate detailed data collection and eliminate error-prone transcription from handwritten notes. By using a standardized data format, it will be possible for DoD to use the detailed building information collected during an energy audit for tracking and reporting portfolio-wide progress. Additionally, the data can be used as a starting point in future audits, lowering the costs. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2014)
Points of Contact
Principal Investigator
Mr. Daniel Macumber
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Phone: 303-275-6172
Fax: 303-630-2055
Document Types
- Fact Sheet - Brief project summary with links to related documents and points of contact.
- Final Report - Comprehensive report for every completed SERDP and ESTCP project that contains all technical results.
- Cost & Performance Report - Overview of ESTCP demonstration activities, results, and conclusions, standardized to facilitate implementation decisions.
- Technical Report - Additional interim reports, laboratory reports, demonstration reports, and technology survey reports.
- Guidance - Instructional information on technical topics such as protocols and user’s guides.
- Workshop Report - Summary of workshop discussion and findings.
- Multimedia - On demand videos, animations, and webcasts highlighting featured initiatives or technologies.
- Model/Software - Computer programs and applications available for download.
- Database - Digitally organized collection of data available to search and access.