New virtual energy audit tools use software and algorithms to analyze meter data, weather information, and other building data to provide energy assessments and recommendations without on-site audits. These virtual audits can assess large building portfolios faster and at lower cost compared to traditional on-site audits. Companies using virtual audit tools have found recommendations are consistent with on-site audits and end-use breakdowns are typically within 10% of actual usage. Virtual audits allow more buildings to be assessed than could be done through traditional on-site audits alone.

1. New Horizon Energy Audit Tools
Virtual Energy Audit Tools
Andrea Salazar
Senior Research Associate, E Source
Rocky Mountain Association of Energy Engineers
14th Annual Energy Forum
www.esource.com
Thursday, October 17, 2013

2. Presentation Outline
What is a virtual energy audit?
Why do a virtual energy audit?
What products are being offered?
Who is using these tools?
What are the results?
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3. The Dawning of the Age of Analytics
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4. What Do You Mean, A “Virtual” Audit?
© E Source
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5. This Quote Sums It Up Nicely…
“Instead of putting boots on the ground at each and every
one of your facilities, virtual audits use software to collect
meter data, weather information, GIS mapping, information
about similar buildings, & other publicly available
information. Then, all of that data is pushed through fancy
algorithms written by smart people that likely went to MIT or
CalTech or other schools where super-geniuses go to do
interesting things. Once that is complete, you get a bunch of
insights about your portfolio‟s performance &
recommendations for where to focus on
implementing energy-efficiency measures that will deliver
the greatest impact.” ~ Sarah McAuley, EnerNOC
From Greentech Media‟s article, Virtual Energy Audits: Industry Fad or
the Next Big Thing?
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6. Virtual Audits Versus On-Site Audits
It would take 1,000 energy auditors working 24
hours/day, 365 days/year for 13 years to assess the
U.S. commercial building stock.
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7. A Scalable Way to Screen Large
Portfolios
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8. Who are the players?
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9. Some Examples
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10. Some Examples
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11. Some Examples
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12. Who’s Using These Tools?
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13. Who’s Using These Tools?
“By using Retroficiency, engineers at
CBRE spend just one day at the building
site, and within 24 hours, they issue a
„good looking‟ report to the customer.
Before Retroficiency, engineers spent
several days on site.”
~ Gary Hosgett, Global Energy &
Sustainability Program Manager, CBRE
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14. Results
• Cadmus Group field trials:
– Compared FirstFuel to ASHRAE Level II audit
– Recommendations were consistent with onsite results
– End-use disaggregation values were within
10% of on-site calculations
– Results achieved at a fraction of time and cost
of on-site engineering analysis and metering
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15. Results
• Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy
Systems field test:
– FirstFuel‟s end-use values averaged within 8%
of building submeter values
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16. Results
• Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) Field Trial:
– 8% average difference in energy cost savings
opportunities found from on-site audits vs.
FirstFuel
– End-use breakdowns differed by average of
7%
– FirstFuel audits more than 3 times faster than
on-site audits
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17. Further Reading
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Using Data Analytics in Zero-Touch Building Energy Assessments, GreenTech Advocates,
2013
What Makes an Effective Virtual Energy Audit, Greentech Media, 2013
The First Fuel Is Efficiency, MIT Technology Review, 2012
When Do Energy Auditors Get to Eat and Sleep?, GreenBiz.com, 2013
The Science Behind Virtual Energy Audits Versus Traditional Audits, Greentech Media, 2013
EnerNOC Gives a Vote of Confidence to Virtual Auditing, Greentech Media, 2013
Half of Energy Savings Reside in Low- or No-Cost Operational Changes, Energy Manager
Today, 2013
Why Virtual Audits Don‟t Go Far Enough, Greentech Media, 2013
10 Ways Big Data Is Remaking Energy, Gigaom, 2012
What If Energy Efficiency Is Even Easier Than We Thought?, Streetwise Media, 2013
Operational Improvements Can Double Energy Efficiency Savings in Commercial Buildings,
Business Wire, 2013
Which Is Better for Efficiency: Retrofits or Behavior Change?, Greentech Media, 2013
WegoWise Identifies $137M in Savings for Low-Income Housing, Greentech Media, 2012
13 Energy Data Startups to Watch in 2013, Gigaom, 2013
Retroficiency, CLEAResult, Clear the Path to Building Energy Efficiency, Greentech Media,
2012
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18. For More Information
Andrea Salazar
Senior Research Associate, E Source
303-345-9189 andrea_salazar@esource.com
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