A: General Feasibility Studies/Technical Support

• Utility Data Collection and Analysis
• HVAC Equipment Nameplate Data Gathering, Facility Drawings and Site Assessment
• Energy Efficient Lighting
• Lighting Controls
• Energy Efficient Motors
• Variable Frequency Drives
• Energy Management System
• Air Condition System Evaluation
• Heating System Evaluation
• Building Envelope Improvements
• Fuel Switching and Dual Fuel Applications

  B: Implementation Assistance

  C: Energy Procurement

A. General Feasibility Studies and Technical Support

OES was incorporated primarily to perform general feasibility studies for all utility customers in New York State and the surrounding areas. In the past three years, since incorporation, OES has performed 61 feasibility studies covering 34.9 million total square feet. Thirteen of these audits were for customers that utilized NYSERDA funding opportunities directly with OES.

Optimized Energy Services, Inc. uses an energy auditing approach that is system wide. OES focuses on all the energy consuming equipment and the equipments’ interaction with the facilities. Additionally, OES evaluates operational, utility and equipment related opportunities during the energy audit.

As new technologies or improved operating procedures present themselves and have been time proven, OES encourages our customers to embrace and implement them. OES also provides ongoing assistance to our customer base at no cost in order to ensure that the audit to implementation stages are carried out and to continually educate the customer in order to make the best energy use decisions.

The following represents the methodology that is taken during the evaluation of opportunities at the facilities:

1. Utility Data Collection and Analysis ( return to top):

The most recent 24 months of utility data is required to be collected and entered into the project database as a basis for load analysis and economic analysis. All fuels currently consumed by the customer will be detailed in a utility data spreadsheet format. The data will be compared against the historical heating and cooling degree information to provide the most accurate Btu per square foot per fuel type. This data will also be used to develop the baseline energy use profile for the facility to be used in the proposed Energy Conservation Measures analysis. This baseline may also be compared against computer assisted building modeling for buildings that have a short utility usage history.

2. HVAC Equipment Nameplate Data Gathering, Facility Drawings and Site Assessment ( return to top):

All pertinent equipment nameplate data will be documented and be used to determine specific fuel consumptions, full load and part load operating hours, NEMA ratings, etc and is the basis for comparison against any proposed method of operation or equipment change out being proposed under the Energy Conservation Measures. Additionally, the facility drawings showing equipment schedules, piping layouts, sizes and locations of electric, gas and fuel oil services will be evaluated to provide basis for analysis. The site assessment is necessary to understand operating personnel activities as it relates to building operation. This is accomplished through facility walk-through with the building managers and through discussions about the facility operation. During this period pictures of pertinent equipment, building façade, roof conditions, and operational problems will be conducted and stored electronically in the database for use in the analysis and report.

3. Energy Efficient Lighting ( return to top):

An inventory of all lighting fixtures is conducted for the entire site. Included in the audit will be lamp wattage, ballast wattage, fixture type, operating hours and fixture quantities. As part of the audit, an evaluation will be conducted to install energy efficient electronic systems including T8 lamps, and a reduction in lighting load through lower lighting levels if appropriate.

4. Lighting Controls ( return to top):

A subset to the energy efficient lighting, the lighting controls evaluation consists of identifying opportunities to turn off lights during low or un-occupied periods. A considerable amount of energy can be saved through this evaluation. As part of the lighting controls audit, an evaluation of the patterns of usage will be conducted and shared with the facility personnel. This evaluation will be compared with the available technologies currently in the market place for the best technology fit at the site.

5. Energy Efficient Motors ( return to top):

An inventory of all HVAC related motors is conducted to include exhaust fans, supply fans, return fans, domestic water pumps, heating hot water pumps, compressors, etc. to determine existing efficiency ratings. In addition, an assessment of the annual operating hours is performed to determine full load hours of operation. Energy efficient alternatives will be compared for cost and savings. The start-stop operation is evaluated for proper controls and maintenance improvements.

6. Variable Frequency Drives ( return to top):

A subset to the energy efficient motor audit, an evaluation of the motor load and control scenario is conducted to determine if through the installation of a variable frequency drive, significant savings can be achieved over the existing mode of operation.

7. Energy Management System ( return to top)

An inventory of all HVAC equipment is conducted and evaluated for the current control scenario. Those pieces of equipment that are manually controlled will be evaluated against the control under an energy management system scenario (or improved local controls.) The improvements include but are not limited to implementing methods for reducing equipment run time, resetting hot water temperatures, resetting hot and cold decks on the air handling equipment and providing proper feedback to the buildings operators. The audit will also provide a database for unit characteristics to include kW, horsepower, flow rate, capacity, voltage, amperage, hertz, phase, location and area served.

8. Air Condition System Evaluation ( return to top)

An evaluation of the air conditioning systems is conducted to determine existing system efficiency and make the economic comparison of system modifications to include air flow, co-efficient of performance, heat rejection methodology, fuel switching, insulation and hours of operation.

9. Heating System Evaluation ( return to top)

An evaluation of the heating system is conducted to include the boiler efficiency, distribution efficiency, presence of water treatment, steam traps, make up water rate, insulation, end use equipment efficiency i.e. unit heaters or unit ventilators. In addition, an inventory of all electric heating equipment is performed to determine if a hydronic or direct fired fossil fuel alternative is cost effective.

10. Building Envelope Improvements ( return to top)

An evaluation of the building envelope will be conducted to include a complete inventory and assessment of the windows, doors, relief fans and other penetrations to determine of excessive infiltration is occurring. We will evaluate building pressurization to determine if the structure is positively or negatively pressurized contributing to system losses. We will evaluate new windows, window film, door and window seals, exhaust fan and relief fan balance, insulated overhead doors and insulation in general.

11. Fuel Switching and Dual Fuel Applications ( return to top)

Prime mover evaluation will be conducted to determine the effectiveness and economic advantage of fuel switching. Analysis of fuel switching could include cogeneration, alternative pumping other than electric; environmentally friendly alternatives include solar power via photovoltaic and hydronic heating opportunities.

B. Implementation Assistance ( return to top)

Optimized Energy Services, Inc. has provided technical support and assistance for customers that needed to move forward to a Request For Proposal (RFP) process after the full detail energy audit was performed. The customers were provided with in depth understanding of the flexible options of implementing the proposed and approved energy conservation measures for their facilities. We ensured that the customer could make the best financial and operational decision so that they would receive the full benefit of installing all measures.

We have performed this service for five separate customers under this scenario, Arden Hill Properties, Onteora Central School District, Warwick Central School District, Ice Time Inc. and Palmer Road Properties. OES developed the bid documents and assisted in the contractor selection process for the school districts. Arden Hill, Ice Time and Palmer Road have elected to move forward in a piecemeal fashion with their own staff implementing some of the measures and general contracting others. For these customers we provided a great deal of assistance in providing a network of contractors for them to work with, financing of the project and the interfacing with NYSERDA for applicable rebate incentives.

Both school locations completed the selection process. Warwick CSD has contracted with an ESCO to implement the suggested measures but Onteora has not moved forward due to internal issues even though the bid process was completed and the ESCO provided it’s final contract. Both of the aforementioned are locations that contracted with OES to perform the detailed energy audit though NYSERDA.

OES has also assisted the Town of Hamden and the Town of Fairfield, both located in Connecticut, with review and analysis of the detailed energy audits that were provided by the ESCOs. The review was a detailed analysis of the approach and techniques that were utilized for baseline modeling and the proposed conservation measures including verity of the savings and costs. In both cases we improved the communication standard between the customer and the ESCO in relation to the measurement and verification process/methodology, derivation of achievable savings and improvement in reporting.

C. Energy Procurement ( return to top)

Optimized Energy Services, Inc. has qualified staff that has provided aggregation, load profiling and procurement of energy supply for large utility customers in New York State. Specific experience is with the Orange & Rockland Power Pick Program since its inception in 1995. Mr. Eric Ackerly was the primary contact for the United States Military Academy who participated in the Power Pick program through Noresco while employed with that firm. Energy supply contracts were negotiated with Cinergy on behalf of the USMA over a two year period. Cinergy was also the major supplier to other large and small customers that participated in the Power Pick program. Mr. Ackerly transitioned to a firm that was the only other major supplier to commercial and industrial loads in the Power Pick program and regularly program managed between 60 mW and 85 mW of load aggregation and procurement. Mr. Ackerly performed various other NYSERDA sponsored load aggregation studies including an Ulster County BOCES study and an Orange-Ulster County BOCES study. Additionally, Mr. Ackerly provided project support for a State of Connecticut Load Aggregation study.