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About Us
7th Gen Energy Solutions is a full service energy consulting firm combining deep industry expertise and integrated solutions to assist building owners and operators in enhancing building energy performance, improving operations, system optimization and addressing the challenges of energy efficiency persistence. We focus on commercial and industrial facilities, to assess envelope, lighting, HVAC, and water related energy saving opportunities, as well as renewable and sustainable energy applications. Professional services include energy auditing (ASHRAE Levels I, II and III), recommissioning, measurement and verification, third party review services, commissioning, LEED related support services, energy modeling, master planning, technical writing, ongoing commissioning, and utility demand-side management related services. 7th Gen is based in Lafayette, Colorado. |
Our Mission
The mission behind 7th Gen prescribes to a Native American tradition, in which decisions made should consider how they will affect people seven generations from now. Our mission is to promote energy efficiency and sustainability in the built environment, with this philosophy in mind; developing efficiency projects that make business sense. Recent News: Director of CO C-PACE Program
Tracy Phillips was recently appointed as the Director of the CO C-PACE Program. CO C-PACE is a financing mechanism that provides 100% up-front financing, for long-term periods (up to 20 years), with the loan tied to the tax assessment - so the loan essentially stays with the building, not the building owner. This new program will open the gates, removing the "three years or less" simple payback that has hindered many building owners from engaging in substantial investments to improve their building's energy performance. Tracy, working with Sustainable Real Estate Solutions (SRS) who is acting as the program's Administrator, and the New Energy Improvement District (NEID), will be sharing CO C-PACE at monthly workshops, as well as in various conferences throughout 2016, to educate building owners, contractor, mortgage holders, and lenders. |
Blogs
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Why ICP Does Not Use IPMVP Option D Calibrated Simulation - READ MORE
Currently ICP does not allow the use of an IPMVP option D calibrated simulation for Measurement and Verification. The Large Commercial/Multifamily protocol requires the use of an IPMVP Option C, Whole Facility measurement and verification (M&V) approach. While the Standard and Targeted protocols require Options A or B, Retrofit Isolation approaches. The ICP Team has been asked on occasion "what happened to Option D, Calibrated Simulation?" |
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ICP Talks Financing at AEE World Energy Engineering Congress - READ MORE
Tracy Phillips, technical lead for the Investor Confidence Project (ICP), presented to a group of energy engineers and other stakeholders on the ICP protocols and the role of third-party involvement in energy efficiency projects at the AEE's World Energy Engineering Congress. The main theme, which was echoed many times most notably by the keynote speaker Bill Clinton, was the idea that barriers to investment in energy efficiency projects represent the single biggest hurdle facing the industry. |
Stopping M&V Adjustment Abuse - READ MORE
The IPMVP Option C, Whole Facility approach is a common and effective method of performing M&V for energy efficiency projects. However, the use of adjustments in the analysis performed, which brings the baseline and post-retrofit periods to the same set of conditions, can often make or break a project. And as a result, these adjustments are often used as a leverage point for making projects look more successful than they really are.
The IPMVP Option C, Whole Facility approach is a common and effective method of performing M&V for energy efficiency projects. However, the use of adjustments in the analysis performed, which brings the baseline and post-retrofit periods to the same set of conditions, can often make or break a project. And as a result, these adjustments are often used as a leverage point for making projects look more successful than they really are.
Baselines, Privacy, and Split Incentives in Multifamily Projects - READ MORE
While MF projects resemble most other commercial projects from a purely technical standpoint, there are two principal factors that present unique challenges for multifamily properties. These involve tenant privacy laws and split incentives. Understanding and addressing these factors is essential for successful deployment of the new MF Protocols.
While MF projects resemble most other commercial projects from a purely technical standpoint, there are two principal factors that present unique challenges for multifamily properties. These involve tenant privacy laws and split incentives. Understanding and addressing these factors is essential for successful deployment of the new MF Protocols.
Data Access - Pushing the Industry Forward - READ MORE
A particular challenge to energy efficiency project development, especially some multifamily projects, involves access to utility data. But the winds of change are blowing, and gaining speed. Presented for consideration are two examples of significant developments on the data access front: Green Button and E-Access.
A particular challenge to energy efficiency project development, especially some multifamily projects, involves access to utility data. But the winds of change are blowing, and gaining speed. Presented for consideration are two examples of significant developments on the data access front: Green Button and E-Access.
Cost Effective Energy Efficiency is in the "Eye of the Beholder" - READ MORE
The topic of cost effectiveness for building retrofits arises often, and is a hot topic in the industry. Organizations and programs should align requirements with their own unique underwriting criteria and should include the host of non-energy benefits that are delivered by many energy efficiency projects.
The topic of cost effectiveness for building retrofits arises often, and is a hot topic in the industry. Organizations and programs should align requirements with their own unique underwriting criteria and should include the host of non-energy benefits that are delivered by many energy efficiency projects.
The Role of Third Party Assurance in Energy Efficiency Project Finance - READ MORE
Energy efficiency projects can be inherently complex, with numerous components and activities that need to be developed and performed including baselining, savings calculation estimates, operational performance verification, and measurement and verification (M&V), among others. A well developed project needs to ensure that each component is developed by experienced professionals using well-established tools and practices, to provide the necessary components essential for a project’s successful outcome.
EVO International EE Finance Protocol and How It Relates to ICP - READ MORE
The IEEFP provides information regarding Energy Service Companies (ESCos), their services, and the performance contracting process. It details two common approaches to financing, including shared savings and guaranteed savings financing vehicles, and admits that loan financing companies have a relatively low understanding with regards to energy efficiency projects and the potential risks and rewards that exist.
The IEEFP provides information regarding Energy Service Companies (ESCos), their services, and the performance contracting process. It details two common approaches to financing, including shared savings and guaranteed savings financing vehicles, and admits that loan financing companies have a relatively low understanding with regards to energy efficiency projects and the potential risks and rewards that exist.
Uncertainty and Risk in Energy Efficiency - READ MORE
The Environmental Defense Fund’s Investor Confidence Project (ICP) attempts to reduce uncertainty and risk by providing a comprehensive framework that defines specific required elements, procedures and documentation pertaining to each critical component involved in an energy efficiency project, as well as a third party quality assurance review system. The ICP addresses the entire energy efficiency project development process, specifying in detail the required components to help reduce risk and promote a successful, long-lasting project outcome.
The Environmental Defense Fund’s Investor Confidence Project (ICP) attempts to reduce uncertainty and risk by providing a comprehensive framework that defines specific required elements, procedures and documentation pertaining to each critical component involved in an energy efficiency project, as well as a third party quality assurance review system. The ICP addresses the entire energy efficiency project development process, specifying in detail the required components to help reduce risk and promote a successful, long-lasting project outcome.
DOE Uniform Methods Project Complements the Investor Focus of ICP - READ MORE
The Uniform Methods Project (UMP), establishes an approach based, on industry-accepted methods for calculation and verification of savings pertaining to energy efficiency measures and programs. The UMP provides a valuable step-by-step set of calculation methods and M&V approaches, as well as best practices for the components involved in each.
The Uniform Methods Project (UMP), establishes an approach based, on industry-accepted methods for calculation and verification of savings pertaining to energy efficiency measures and programs. The UMP provides a valuable step-by-step set of calculation methods and M&V approaches, as well as best practices for the components involved in each.
