Commercial Energy Audit Tool
Commercial Energy Audit Tool
The Situation
When faced with the task of performing audits for customers, San Diego Gas and Electric encountered many barriers stemming from this manual and time-intensive process. Audits often took up to 10 weeks to complete, after which IT could take up to an extra three weeks before customers were even presented with the findings.
Additionally, the cost to perform audits is quite high, especially for mid-market customers who represent 90% of the commercial and industrial markets.
And because the auditing process was performed manually, data inventory and mining options were not available since all reports were kept as hard copy and not readily accessible online.
When utility customers encountered this combination of high costs and lack of timeliness some would proceed with implementation of improvements before an audit was performed or in advance of receiving a final analysis report, which in many cases disqualified them from valuable incentives paid by their utility. This overall flawed method of auditing was in need of an innovative new process.
The Situation
Lincus’ team of skilled engineers set the bar high to design an integrated online tool that would provide beneficial reductions in three specific areas for electric, gas, water, and demand-response audit customers: 1) Reduce auditing time from three weeks to a single day; 2) Reduce processing time from 10 weeks to two weeks; and 3) Reduce costs up to 75%!
A uniform software solution was created called the Commercial Energy Audit Tool (CEAT) that addressed all three areas and significantly improved the overall quality control involved in the auditing process. This paperless new system allowed for real time data gathering, targeted calculations, and accessible photos via use of hand-held devices. Reports could now be accessed on-site or through the Web, with the ability to collect multiple EEMs into a single, editable final audit report for complete review simplification.
The Situation
Through use of this Web-based application that fully supports utility DSM programs through secure software for sensitive Utility and customer data, San Diego Gas and Electric was able to accurately perform and track valuable information and calculations, significantly eliminating errors in data transfer and lost files. The cost savings is anticipated to be $1 million per year (based on an average savings of $5,000 per audit spread over 200 small-to-medium commercial energy audits scheduled to be performed this year).
The improved reporting template and standard calculation method offered through the CEAT allows for a reduction in time for quality control through easy automation and validation, as well as a huge reduction in the time needed to deliver the final, comprehensive report with analyses and costs that are based on the generally-accepted engineering principals, ASHRAE audit standards with interactive effects, eQuest, and DEER database.
Additional benefits provided through use of the CEAT include:
- Rapid deployment among multiple AE’s, engineers and third-party firms
- The ability for program managers and customers to keep and update their
equipment inventory through a centralized data warehouse (useful for
mandated EM&V studies) - The ability to track up to 36 months of utility data with corresponding
incentive amounts - Detailed reports that are verifiable, compliant with existing regulations, and
able to be updated in future years - The insertion of site photographs for visual reference and understanding
- A clear understanding of which SDG&E incentives are applicable to Utility
customers on deemed or custom measures - Accurate tracking of engineer/engineering firm performance
