Question

Energy Management Software

  0  
Thomas Quist
Thomas Quist asked

The City of Cartersville is preparing to develop an RFP for Energy Management Software (EMS) as part of our EECBG project. I am interested to know if anyone has any experience with EMS, and if they have any advice on what to include in the bid specifications. We will be using this software to track energy consumption, estimate savings from retrofits/upgrades (cost avoidance), and report to our state agency overseeing the grant (predominantly emissions reductions). If you have a sample RFP, that would be extremely appreciated. Thanks in advance for your feedback!

Answers

 
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Robert Cole

Thomas:
Have you contacted your utility to see if they have free software available? Also, have you taken a look at USEPA Portfolio Manager and associated benchmarking, etc.?

Portfolio Manager:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=evaluate_performance.bus_portfoliomanager

EPA Muni Ops Guide:
http://www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate/documents/pdf/ee_municipal_operations.pdf

ICLEI tools:
http://www.icleiusa.org/action-center/tools

 
  1  
Ernest Pages

Thomas, The following may assist you with developing specifications.
good luck.

The system should be designed to easily report indicators required for the EECBG and link with existing data to eliminate duplicate data entry. The ability to display trends over time and links with forecasting and scenario planning functions to illustrate the potential impact of EECBG energy and water efficiency programs, capital projects, building retirements and constructions, and transportation programs is required.

Features should include:
1) Leverage existing systems and reduce duplication of effort for tracking and reporting.
2) Integrate multiple management systems, programs, and contractors to support on-going operations tracking and reporting.
3) Produce standardized reports that include key performance metrics for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funding (on both a per project and total program basis), including: jobs created and retained, energy saved, renewable energy produced, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduced, cost-sharing, and lifecycle financial performance.
4) Have the ability to track emissions and changes in emissions across multiple sectors of activity, as noted in the Climate Action Plan. The main emission sectors for emissions include transportation, residential buildings, commercial buildings, and municipal activities. A key component of the proposed program should be the identification of methods by which emissions from all activities can be tracked and monitored, including both public and private activities.
5) Coordinate with community funding program to track energy savings
6) Coordinate with the city website to allow public access to information required under Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) to be updated on a quarterly basis.
7) Be easily managed by City staff and require minimal maintenance.

 
  1  
Ernest Pages

Thomas, our firm assists clients in the selection and implementation of systems. However, most of our clients have generally been using software that is associated with lighting times, A/C and Heat run times etc.
EnergyCAP does have a history in the industry yet with the advent of the Federal initiatives there have been many new entrants into the market.

 
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Thomas Quist

Thank you both for your responses.

@Robert - We actually own our Electric/Gas/Water utilities! Unfortunately, they don't have this type of software. I will definitely take a look at the tools that you suggested. I've done some preliminary research and the tool that seems to be the most efficient and effective appears to be EnergyCAP. However, I need to dig a little deeper which is why I'm here!

@Ernest - Thanks! I really appreciate you taking the time to list out those specs. Does your jurisdiction currently use EMS? If so, what do you use?

-Tom

 
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Thomas Quist

Ernest - thanks for the clarification. Would you mind sharing the names of some of the more respected newcomers? Obviously each solution needs to be tailored to the specific needs of the community. I feel our needs are fairly basic (utility bill tracking, cost avoidance associated with retrofits/upgrades, emissions reductions), but I also don't want to overlook something that could be valuable. Thanks again!

-Tom

 
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Ernest Pages

Thomas. You're at at the leading edge of most cities on this. The best approach is to submit your RFP taking into account your current systems and functional needs. The market is dynamic and will respond to what your needs are.

 
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Thomas Quist

Thank you, Ernest, for your advice. I'll let you know what we end up doing!

 
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Ernest Pages

Thank you for posting the Performance dashbord. I think that it's a useful high level tool. In keeping with the dashboard model you may want to look at energyprint.com since they may offer some of what you are looking for the EMS.
Good luck
Ernest

 
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Thomas Quist

My pleasure! Regarding Energy Print - I just scanned their website and their product doesn't seem to have any cost avoidance reporting capabilities. Am I missing something, or do they not offer that. That will be an important component of our energy tracking initiative. Thanks again for all of your feedback!

 
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Ernest Pages

I think that EnergyCAP may be a better bet.
Good luck in the process.
Ernest

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