Energy modeling or building simulation is a powerful tool for predicting or analyzing building energy use. We use EnergyPlus and OpenStudio frequently when developing whole building energy models. After years using these tools in a consulting environment and sharing that knowledge on the Building Energy...
We use regression analysis frequently in our energy engineering analysis, but results can be less than ideal for many cases. Now with big data and the current technology of faster computing, we can use a comprehensive understanding of statistics, hypothesis testing, and principles of inference...
If you’re looking to significantly reduce your electric and gas utility bills, and don’t want to shell out hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars for new HVAC and lighting equipment, then chances are you’ve considered Retro-Commissioning (RCx) – and if you haven’t, you should! With...
There is an understandable temptation to overlook highly efficient data centers when searching for energy savings. Maybe you’ve gotten your PUE down to 1.2 so why not just focus all your efforts on facilities that are performing poorly? That may be the case, but I...
So, you’ve decided to retrofit all your interior linear fluorescent light fixtures with LEDs. Great! Where should you begin? What kind of retrofit works best for your site? Let’s explore some options to answer some of your questions. Currently, interior LED retrofits can be broadly divided...
Yesterday I attended one California’s (CA) most important annual events – the CEDMC fall conference. After a truly inspiring opening discussion by State Senator Henry Stern (look for him to follow Gavin to the CA governor’s office according to those in the know) we dug...
I try to avoid posts that proclaim how the world would be a better place if only… blah, blah, blah (fill in your favorite panacea here). But I’m going to indulge here only because I see our industry trying to adapt to disruptive trends, yet...
Averages hide things, blending together the highs and the lows arriving at something in the middle. But the end result is a product that doesn’t accurately reflect the diversity of the whole which can be a BIG problem when it comes to estimating savings for...
Last week I got to attend one of my favorite conferences – the Energy and Store Development conference hosted by the Food Marketing Institute. I love it because it’s a great crowd of people, most of them energy geeks like myself, who’re fascinated by trying...
As efficiency engineers it’s important to be curious, persistent and to get into our client’s shoes. How, why, and can you show me? These questions help me remember an ethos that drives me every day as I solve big energy problems. Here is one great success story...