Energy Audits
Our energy audit services range from the simple walkthrough audit to the ASHRAE Level II and Level III audits. Energy audits are useful in identifying energy saving opportunities and determining a long term master planning strategy, and can be coupled with a more comprehensive service package integrating retro-commissioning, calibrated energy modeling, measurement and verification, and LEED for Existing Buildings O&M if desired. |
Measurement & Verification
Measurement and verification, or M&V, can help managers discover and manage maintenance and operating problems over time, document actual building performance, provide useful information for budgeting purposes, and assist with carbon reporting. 7th Gen Energy can provide M&V services for utility programs, LEED projects, and other energy projects. Our approach follows the International Performance Measurement & Verification Protocol (IPMVP) standard, but is customizable to meet individual client needs. |
Retro-commissioning
Retro-Commissioning or re-commissioning (RCx) is a cost effective means to improve the performance of existing buildings with the goal of reducing energy use and peak demand usage, improving system performance, improving occupant comfort, and reducing maintenance issues and costs. RCx is a review of the building’s systems and their operation (a “building tune-up”) that identifies problems due to system operation deficiencies or design flaws that occurred during the original construction and also identifies problems that have developed during the building’s existence. Typical energy efficiency measures identified during the RCx process focus on improving control of existing equipment or correcting hardware and sensor malfunctions. Third Party Review - ESPC Owner's Representative
7th Gen provides third-party review services of energy savings calculations and measurement and verification plans and activities. We review savings calculation methods and models, to ensure that they are based on ASHRAE fundamentals and methodologies, and that appropriate assumptions, resources and reasoning are applied. For measurement and verification, we review M&V plans for completeness and to ensure that appropriate options are being utilized. The M&V effort, assumptions, and methods are reviewed as well, to make sure that variables, adjustments and verified savings calculations are being performed or handled properly. These services can in some cases help to explain project shortfalls, or avoid shortfalls or potential litigation in extreme cases. LEED Related Services
7th Gen offers services in support of LEED Certification for both existing buildings (LEED-EB) and new construction (LEED-NC). Credits include minimum/optimized energy performance, commissioning, M&V, renewable energy, and emissions reduction reporting. |
Energy Modeling
7th Gen Energy offers in-depth building energy optimization for both new construction and existing buildings. We utilize various energy modeling programs, including but not limited to, DOE-2 (eQuest) and Trane Trace. Information from energy simulation software is critical in the design and major renovation of energy-efficient commercial buildings. Most energy modeling software programs are hourly, whole building energy analysis programs that calculate energy performance and provide an economic analysis of building operation. These programs use a description of the building layout, constructions, operating schedules, conditioning systems (lighting, HVAC, etc.), and utility rates provided by the user, along with weather data, to perform an hourly simulation of the building and to estimate utility bills. |
Implementation
It is important to realize there is a cost associated with waiting to implement energy efficiency measures (or not implementing at all). The basic idea is this: you can “do nothing” and pay for excess energy, or you can pay to avoid that waste. Either way, you will pay this out-of-pocket cost. It is a matter of deciding which costs less on an annual basis. After the completion of the energy study, 7th Gen Energy can assist in preparing and presenting the energy efficiency findings internally to secure the necessary company approval and/or funding. 7th Gen Energy will work as part of the implementation team to fine tune control strategies and parameters to ensure that measures are implemented properly and operating optimally (to maximize energy savings and occupant comfort). |
Ongoing Commissioning
Ongoing services can be critical to the persistence of energy savings and are designed to:
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