TEGA October 2007 Committee Meeting Recap

Submitted by Lisa Rosenow

The presenters for the October TEGA meeting were energy modeling expert Kevin Madison, and Mark Frankel, technical director for the New Buildings Institute.

Mark provided an overview of the Advanced Buildings Core Performance Guide, which “outlines a step-by-step simplified approach to achieve predictable energy savings in small- to medium-sized buildings without the need for modeling.” Energy simulation and related analysis is a significant cost to achieving LEED EAC1 credits. For small buildings, having to spend thousands of dollars for energy simulations and reporting will lead some designers to forgo LEED EAC1 credits in lieu of other credits that cost less to document and support. USGBC recently approved prescriptive LEED EAC1 credits for buildings that follow the "Core Performance Guide" published by the New Buildings Institute. Under this approach, small to medium size buildings can achieve up to 5 LEED EAC1 credits by incorporating straight forward prescriptive measures.

Information in this guide is based on ideas and products that are readily available. During the development of this guide it was found that in general measures that are the best are the best everywhere. The guide also has an Enhanced Performance section that covers products and ideas where there are only one or two manufacturers available, or where there are gaps in available sizes.

There are three basic subsections in the guide:
1. Design Process Documentation – Identifying and communicating the design intent.
2. Building Optimization – Includes building configuration, optimized mechanical and lighting systems design, etc.
3. Operational Performance – Construction certification (acceptance testing), operator training and documentation, and performance data review.

Kevin Madison explained how strategies recommended in the Core Performance Guide were evaluated using the batch processing capability of eQUEST Version 3.62. Resources from the California Enduse Study (CEUS) and the Database for Energy Efficient Resources (DEER) from the California Energy Commission, and the Advanced Buildings Measure Analysis by The New Buildings Institute were used to calibrate energy utilization index (EUI) data. Kevin shared various batch processing examples and explained the various types that can be done in eQUEST. He utilized the Ranked Efficiency Measure feature to identify the best strategies for the Core Performance Guide. The analysis included identifying strategies that were more stringent that ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004, size threshold lower that 90.1-2004, and items that have value for quality construction and operation.

He also summarized various upgrades and enhancements in eEQUEST Version 3.62. Items include hourly results access through D2Sim Viewer located under Detailed Reports; EEM Run Wizard feature; friendlier UI parametric runs and INP imports; layer-by-layer constructions in the Wizards; a more robust Results module with project run pruning; and a QC Reporting Summary that reports run cautions. In addition algorithms have been added or enhanced to better handle direct expansion PIU systems, variable flow zonal exhaust, skylight and daylight modeling, and curves for small frictionless chillers.

A copy of Kevin Madison’s presentation is available on the meeting presentations page of the ASHRAE Puget Sound Chapter website.

Additional information about the Advanced Buildings Core Performance Guide can be found at the Advanced Buildings website - http://www.advancedbuildings.net/index.htm.