Investor Confidence Project Technical Forum Call Notes - June 24, 2014

Thanks to everyone who participated in today’s working group call! We had a great discussion regarding specifics of the QA Specification, which is summarized in the call notes below. A recording of the call will be posted soon on our Technical Forum section of the ICP website.

Please, continue to review the QA Specification on GoogleDocs and provide us with your thoughts and comments. We are hoping to have a complete draft of the document prepared for the next call in late July, at which point we will discuss any final thoughts or comments, with the idea of releasing the document in mid to late August. - ICP Team

• Energy data - ensure that we address filling data gaps (UT3 for example)
  
  
• End use energy usage - suggest using ASHRAE Level II End Use Analysis workbook, to build up the end use energy usage from collected building information (lighting, nameplate data, etc)
  
  
• Weather - mention using weather not just for baseline development, but also for calibration of the energy model, energy savings calculations, and M&V efforts
  
  
• References - we don’t want to completely recreate guidelines and protocols that are already developed; but need to ensure we include enough critical information from these documents, particularly for documents that are not free, so the reader understands what is required. The resources can be referenced to provide greater detail, but the critical components should be included in the QA Specification
  
  
• Retrofit isolation baseline - make sure it only applies to the system within the defined boundary. Applies to Option A and B approaches, and projects such as lighting retrofits, boiler retrofits, PV, etc. Refer to the CCC Guidelines for Verifying Savings from Commissioning Existing Buildings
  
  
• Load profiles - refer to ECAM for guidance with this section
  
  
• Baseline energy model development - should this be moved to the baseline section, or leave it in the savings calculation section? Is it considered part of the baseline development, or is it a “tool” used as part of the Savings Calculation?
  
  
• ECM description - consider mentioning that a “persistence plan” should be included (this is already covered in the OM&M section however)
  
  
• Financing / Investment Criteria - EUL is already included in this section (along with many other components)
  
  
• Mention that the financial metrics should consider uncertainty if possible, as well as persistence of energy savings
  
  
• Cost estimates - not a lot of great resources; RS Means, but what else? Mention that project should utilize third party contractor estimates whenever possible. Particularly if the building owner already has a relationship with specific contractors.
  
  
• ECM modeling - discuss keywords used, assumptions, and documentation of sources. As part of QA, cross reference assumptions with construction documents
  
  
• Operational Performance Verification - group still agrees it is appropriate to not use the term commissioning (Cx); but can still reference / use Cx resources to develop this section. Utilize construction checklists as well
  
  
• Systems Manual - will reference ASHRAE’s new Process and Procedures for Development of a Systems Manual (the document should be approved next week)
  
  
• Did not get to the OM&M and M&V sections of the QA Spec. Will discuss specific sections of these two in the Technical Forum, to get input from the Working Group.