Training Calendar

Register

This two-hour webinar will cover advanced TREAT modeling using the multifamily version. To attend this webinar, participants must be well versed in the use of multifamily TREAT (e.g. prior attendance to an in-person training, webinar, etc.). The following topics are covered in this 2 hour course:

Advanced TREAT Multifamily Modeling

• Identify and understand advanced inputs for more flexible modeling
• Personalize TREAT with custom defaults for faster and more convenient modeling
• Generating and understanding reports in TREAT – knowing which reports will help you troubleshoot your model
• Creating and understanding improvements and packages
• Opportunity to ask advanced modeling questions to understand issues in your current models

This is a BPI approved course. Upon completion you will be eligible to receive up to two continuing education units (CEUs).

Register

Course Description

PSD’s 3-day TREAT training will expose attendees to time efficient modeling procedures and methods.  Attendees will learn how to leverage the TREAT modeling software to model and evaluate typical improvement workscopes used by weatherization programs, construct energy models of multifamily buildings from ‘scratch’, and apply templates to streamline the evaluation of standardized improvements.

The 3-day course is comprehensive and will cover apartment sampling, energy model calibration, modeling strategies, data entry problem solving, billing analysis, quantifying interactions between systems, predicted energy savings, and calculating SIRs.

TREAT Multifamily Mentoring:

This optional add-on to the TREAT classroom training will give attendees the opportunity apply what was learned in the classroom to model an actual multifamily property in the field.  The PSD instructor will walk attendees through the audit process and refresh students on the best practices for modeling multifamily properties.  The TREAT mentoring will take place over the course of 1 day and attendees will walk away from the mentoring experience with a comprehensive TREAT model of a multifamily property that will serve as a helpful reference for future multifamily modeling projects.

* You can sign up for TREAT mentoring during registration for the 3-day TREAT classroom training

Course Objectives

• Learn how to use the “Multifamily Existing Building Improvement-Driven Modeling Process” for improving energy efficiency in multifamily buildings using TREAT
• Integrate TREAT into the auditing process to improve overall project efficiency and productivity.
• Build a TREAT model with an appropriate level of detail to generate savings and workscope reports
• Demonstrate proper use of TREAT’s billing analysis tools to import a building’s actual energy bills and analyze baseline energy signatures and historical energy performance patterns
• Incorporate ‘non-energy’ benefits (i.e. health and safety measures) into the TREAT model
• Follow recommended procedure for ‘true-up’ of TREAT model
• Create and analyze the investment potential of individual ECMs and interacting sets of improvements
• Produce appropriate TREAT improvements reporting for weatherization projects
• Use TREAT to determine actual energy savings vs. predicted energy savings

Modeling is now a BPI requirement. Upon completion you will be eligible to receive up to 10.5 continuing education units (CEUs).

Register

Join PSD on May 6th, 2014 from 1:00-2:00pm EDT for a LIVE demonstration of the most exciting new features in OpenStudio v1.3.0.  As a licensed OpenStudio training and support organization, PSD is offering this webinar to raise awareness of the potential power of OpenStudio. The webinar will be led by PSD’s Vice President of Research and Development, Chris Balbach.

Features that will be covered:

 1) Support for modeling refrigeration systems: 

OpenStudio 1.3.0 introduces drag, drop and configuration capabilities to model the energy use of common commercial refrigeration systems (e.g. display cases and walk in coolers), including cascading systems. While this is not unique, the ability to integrate the energy impacts of refrigeration systems into a building’s heat balance at an adjustable sub-hourly time step provides tightly coupled feedback for estimating the interactions between energy systems.

 2) Support for modeling VRF HVAC systems 

OpenStudio provides drag, drop and configure capabilities for modeling VRF (Variable Flow Refrigerant) HVAC systems and controls of varying complexity. VRF systems can be configured to operate in either a ‘heat pump’ mode, (where the system operates in either heating or cooling mode) or in a heat recovery mode (where indoor units can recover and exchange heat with other indoor units operating in the opposite mode). In addition, the outdoor units can be configured to be air, water or evaporative cooled. User defined performance curves (generated from manufacturers published performance data) can now be used to describe equipment performance.

3) Support for modeling supply and return plenum configurations 

Forced Air HVAC systems commonly use plenums for supplying and/or returning the conditioned air. This release of OpenStudio allows users to define and configure supply and return plenums that serve multiple conditioned zones. Plenums are considered unconditioned thermal zones and are composed of children OpenStudio spaces.  The plenum zones can leverage OpenStudio’s space type definitions for rapid object and property assignments.

Register

Course Description

Presented by PSD and the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) this comprehensive training course is designed to provide the necessary training for those seeking to achieve the status of Certified Measurement and Verification Professional (CMVP). More details about the CMVP designation can be found at www.aeecenter.org/certification/CMVP.

Proven energy savings are now playing a significant role in financing energy management programs, whether through energy performance contracts or through emission trades under schemes such as the clean development mechanism of the UNFCCC. While interest in savings data is growing, the state of the art in determining savings has also been rapidly evolving. This seminar will examine current best practices for determining and documenting savings, specifically reviewing the current edition of the International Performance Measurement & Verification Protocol (IPMVP).

Attendees will learn the process of designing a proper M&V program for their projects, including cost/accuracy tradeoffs, baseline adjustments, interactive effects, types of savings, maintaining transparency, and analysis methods. Examples of specific techniques will be presented, along with common pitfalls which can result in unreliable savings reports. These techniques are central to management under the new ISO 50001 standard for Energy Management Systems. Class time will include problem solving and debate.

Through participating in a “fundamentals” course, persons experienced in M&V will also appreciate the assembly of all of the issues, the debates, and engagement at their own level with expert instructors.  The CMVP exam will be administered at the close of instruction on day three of each seminar to those who have qualified in advance to sit for the exam by submitting a completed CMVP application and fee. Advance reading of IPMVP Volume I (available at www.evo-world.org) would be useful reading before the exam, though not required.

Accreditation: 2 AIA CEUs, 20  PDHs

Registration includes all workshop material & continental breakfast and lunch daily.

Course Outline

Reasons for M&V
• Types of uses for M&V
• M&V’s role in financing

Current M&V Protocols
• Relationship of IPMVP and other guidelines

IPMVP
• Its evolution
• Overview of IPMVP Options A, B, C & D

Developing an M&V Plan
• Principles of M&V
• Scope of energy to be monitored
• Differences between M&V for industry and for buildings
• “Cost avoidance” or “normalized savings?”
• Choosing independent variables for routine baseline adjustments
• Sources of data
• M&V budgets
• Selecting the baseline period and data
• Measurement systems design, commissioning & maintenance
• Baseline analysis methods
• Various forms of savings computation
• Valuing savings
• Routine procedures and QC
• Managing the uncertainty created by sampling, metering, modeling and unknowns
• Bias and rounding
• Reporting procedures
• Coordinating with other purposes
• When to do the M&V Plan

Current Issues in M&V
• Coping with missing data
• Cost/uncertainty tradeoffs
• Monitoring IAQ

Baseline Adjustment
• Why they are necessary
• Who does what, when

Key Elements of Success: Theory & Examples of IPMVP Options 

• Details of IPMVP methods
• Retrofit isolation (IPMVP Options A & B): Instrumentation issues
• Whole facility (IPMVP Option C): Utility billing issues
• Calibrated simulation (IPVMP Option D): Simulation issues
• Lessons from tough experience

Selecting Options: Which One Is Best Suited For My Project?

Adherence with IPMVP

Register

Friday, June 20, 2014 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM EDT

Interest in M&V related skills as they apply to the built environment continue to grow, by building owners, practitioners, financiers and other stakeholders in the energy efficiency sector. Our Fundamentals of Measurement & Verification training provides an understanding of procedures and workflows for developing and executing M&V plans.

Please join us for a free 30-minute free overview of our Fundamentals of M&V training, and how it can benefit you and your business.

Register

Only 2 hours each day, so it’s easy to fit in your schedule!

Date: July 8^th – 10^th

Time: 9am-11am each day (online – 6 hours, online, 2hrs/day)

This six-hour training will help you get the most from TREAT, our award-winning energy modeling software.  Even experienced TREAT users will pick up some tips from this course!  In this training, you will:

• Learn the TREAT essentials you’ll need to become more productive.
• Learn techniques to streamline the modeling process and complete more models in less time.
• Create a sample building energy model during the class.
• Receive homework assignments
• Receive Test/Quiz at the end

Creating a model of energy usage can be complex!  This training covers the TREAT features, including the Project Wizard, that will help you create TREAT models quickly and efficiently.

Accreditation: 6 BPI CEUs

Register

Date: July 9th, 1-3pm (EST)

Price: $95 / $47.50 (NYSERDA Discount)

A computer with microphone and speakers, or a computer in conjunction with a phone are recommended for participation.  Participants are eligible for 2.0 BPI CEUs.

Upon completion you will be eligible to receive 2 continuing education units (CEUs).

Register

Join PSD on July 16th, 2014 from 1:00-2:00pm EDT for a FREE LIVE demonstration and introduction to OpenStudio.

PSD is offering this webinar to raise awareness of the suite of tools available with OpenStudio. The webinar will be led by PSD’s Vice President of Research and Development, Chris Balbach.

Features that will be covered:

How OpenStudio can be used to support PON 1601 New Construction Program activities

1. Rapid creation and zoning of a building using the OpenStudio SketchUp plugin
2. Rapid assignment of components to the building using the Building Component Library, including ASHRAE 90.1-2007 performance standards
3. Using OpenStudio Measures to modify a building
   1. NREL BCL Measure Library – Public Domain
      • OpenStudio Measures (ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guides)
      • EnergyPlus Measures
      • Reporting Period Measures
   2. Customized Measures
4. Using the Parametric Analysis Tool to design and execute simulation studies, incorporating energy cost savings and LCCA feedback
5. Viewing output (summary and detailed)
6. Generating Reports

About the Trainer

Chris Balbach
VP of Research and Development
Performance Systems Development

Chris has over 15 years of experience using energy modeling and analysis software to analyze the investment potential of existing buildings, with a focus on energy efficiency, building durability, and occupant health and safety. He is an active member of the IBPSA-USA Board of Directors, chairs the AEE BESA (Building Energy Simulation Analyst) certification board, and is a voting member of the ASHRAE SPC 211 (Standard for Commercial Building Energy Audits).

Certifications:
PE, CEM, CVMP, BESA

Register

About the Trainer

Chris Balbach

VP of Research and Development
Performance Systems Development

Chris has over 15 years of experience using energy modeling and analysis software to analyze the investment potential of existing buildings, with a focus on energy efficiency, building durability, and occupant health and safety. He is an active member of the IBPSA-USA Board of Directors, chairs the AEE BESA (Building Energy Simulation Analyst) certification board, and is a voting member of the ASHRAE SPC 211 (Standard for Commercial Building Energy Audits).

Certifications:

PE, CEM, CVMP, BESA

Register

Date: August 6th, 1-3pm (EST)

Price: $95 / $47.50 (NYSERDA Discount)

Topics included:

• Strategic creation of spaces and surfaces
• Transformation of HVAC audit data into TREAT inputs
• Utility Bill upload, analysis and True-up
• DHW inputs
• Infiltration
• Fans
• Lights
• Appliances
• Improvements
• Packages

To benefit the most from this webinar, participants should have prior experience modeling TREAT software, or have attended the introductory webinar.

Upon completion you will be eligible to receive 2 continuing education units (CEUs).

Register

Dates: August 12-15th
Times: 9am-1pm

Course Description

PSD’s 16-hour comprehensive TREAT training, conveniently delivered through four four-hour live, online webinars, will expose attendees to time efficient modeling procedures and methods. Attendees will learn how to leverage the TREAT modeling software to model and evaluate typical improvement workscopes used by weatherization programs, construct energy models of multifamily buildings from ‘scratch’, and apply templates to streamline the evaluation of standardized improvements.

The course is comprehensive and will cover apartment sampling, energy model calibration, modeling strategies, data entry problem solving, billing analysis, quantifying interactions between systems, predicted energy savings, and calculating SIRs. Students will be given homework assignment each day so that they can practice building TREAT models.

Course Objectives

• Learn how to use the “Multifamily Existing Building Improvement-Driven Modeling Process” for improving energy efficiency in multifamily buildings using TREAT
• Integrate TREAT into the auditing process to improve overall project efficiency and productivity.
• Build a TREAT model with an appropriate level of detail to generate savings and workscope reports
• Demonstrate proper use of TREAT’s billing analysis tools to import a building’s actual energy bills and analyze baseline energy signatures and historical energy performance patterns
• Incorporate ‘non-energy’ benefits (i.e. health and safety measures) into the TREAT model
• Follow recommended procedure for ‘true-up’ of TREAT model
• Create and analyze the investment potential of individual ECMs and interacting sets of improvements
• Produce appropriate TREAT improvements reporting for weatherization projects
• Use TREAT to determine actual energy savings vs. predicted energy savings

Modeling is now a BPI requirement. Upon completion you will be eligible to receive up to 8 continuing education units (CEUs).

Register

About the Trainer

Chris Balbach

VP of Research and Development
Performance Systems Development

Chris has over 15 years of experience using energy modeling and analysis software to analyze the investment potential of existing buildings, with a focus on energy efficiency, building durability, and occupant health and safety. He is an active member of the IBPSA-USA Board of Directors, chairs the AEE BESA (Building Energy Simulation Analyst) certification board, and is a voting member of the ASHRAE SPC 211 (Standard for Commercial Building Energy Audits).

Certifications:

PE, CEM, CVMP, BESA

Register

Course Description

Course Agenda

Register

TREAT is our award-winning energy audit software for comprehensive energy analysis and building modeling.
A winner of the prestigious R&D 100 award, TREAT is the only energy audit software approved by the DOE for all residential housing types – including multifamily. TREAT is market tested, with thousands of users enjoying accurate results for over a decade of supporting whole house energy audits.

Learn how training can help you to get the most from TREAT.  Our trainer will be available to answer your questions.

Register

Course Description

This 2-day hands-on course will teach students how to leverage the free NREL OpenStudio modeling ecosystem to quickly and efficiently generate flexible models for energy analysis. Students will learn effective modeling workflows for using the OpenStudio Sketchup Plugin to construct building form and fabric and assigning space attributes. HVAC and service hot water systems will be configured using the OpenStudio Application. The OpenStudio Application integrates with NREL’s Building Component Library (BCL), providing libraries of pre-defined configurable energy conservation measures for easily modifying energy models. PAT (Parametric Analysis Tool) will be used to demonstrate how model variants can be configured to run in cloud computing environments (Amazon EC2). Students will also be exposed to OpenStudio’s capabilities for extension through Ruby Scripting, both for creating custom energy conservation measures and for generating useful summary and detailed output.

Registration includes all workshop material & continental breakfast and lunch daily.

Puchase Training

Course Objectives

1. Learn to use the OpenStudio modeling ecosystem to effectively model the energy and lighting performance and consumption for new and existing buildings.
2. Learn how careful OS model configurations can allow for rapid alterations and manipulations.
3. Learn how to use the power of OpenStudio “measures” to easily evaluate changes to your building model.
4. Learn how to configure the Parametric Analysis Tool (PAT) for conducting modeling studies
5. Learn how to effectively extract and interpret results from PAT modeling studies

Course Agenda

Day 1

Use the OS SketchUp Plugin to:

• Load templates for providing default values
• Import idf or gbxml files generated by other tools
• Use Sketchup tools to create building spaces (form and fabric)
• Rapidly assign space load definitions
• Rapidly assign properties using construction and schedule sets at different hierarchies
• Configure spaces for daylight controls
• Create external shading objects/surfaces
• Collect/configure spaces into Thermal Zones and assign thermostats

Use the OpenStudio Application to:

• Use BCL to retrieve Configure Zonal Central HVAC systems and controls
• Configure Central HVAC systems and controls
• Configure Service Water systems and controls
• Add BCL measures to extend baseline model
• Incorporate utility bills for model/billing comparison
• Addition of measures to provide calibration roadmap

Day 2

Use Results Viewer to:

• Graphically examine detailed mode output
• Export detailed model output for further post-processing

Use Parametric Analysis Tool to:

• Select and configure OS measures from the NREL BCL
• Define simulation study by configuring Design Alternatives
• Use the Amazon EC2 resource to execute the simulation study
• Examine detailed model output

Special Topics

• How to create a “measure” for use in OpenStudio
• OpenStudio Measure
• EnergyPlus Measure
• Reporting Measure
• How to share measures to the BCL
• How to manage large simulation studies

Register

Date: September 18th, 1-3pm (EST)

Price: $95 / $47.50 (NYSERDA Discount)

Topics included:

• Strategic creation of spaces and surfaces
• Transformation of HVAC audit data into TREAT inputs
• Utility Bill upload, analysis and True-up
• DHW inputs
• Infiltration
• Fans
• Lights
• Appliances
• Improvements
• Packages

To benefit the most from this webinar, participants should have prior experience modeling TREAT software, or have attended the introductory webinar.

Upon completion you will be eligible to receive 2 continuing education units (CEUs).

Register

Date: October 8th, 1-3pm (EST)

Price: $95 / $47.50 (NYSERDA Discount)

This webinar does not include the full creation of a model, but rather focuses on troublesome aspects of energy modeling, and the specific issues of the attendees. A computer with microphone and speakers, or a computer in conjunction with a phone are required for participation.  Participants are eligible for 2.0 BPI ceus.

These “Advanced TREAT Multifamily Modeling” topics are covered in this 2 hour course:

• Identify and understand advanced inputs for more flexible modeling
• Personalize TREAT with custom defaults for faster and more convenient modeling
• Understanding details of multifamily domestic hot water systems.
• Generating and understanding reports in TREAT – knowing which reports will help you troubleshoot your model
• Creating and understanding improvements and packages
• Understanding best practices for utility data uploads
• Opportunity to ask advanced modeling questions to understand issues in your current models

Upon completion you will be eligible to receive 2 continuing education units (CEUs).

Register

About the Trainer

Chris Balbach

VP of Research and Development
Performance Systems Development

Chris has over 15 years of experience using energy modeling and analysis software to analyze the investment potential of existing buildings, with a focus on energy efficiency, building durability, and occupant health and safety. He is an active member of the IBPSA-USA Board of Directors, chairs the AEE BESA (Building Energy Simulation Analyst) certification board, and is a voting member of the ASHRAE SPC 211 (Standard for Commercial Building Energy Audits).

Certifications:

PE, CEM, CVMP, BESA

Register

Dates: October 21-24th
Times: 1pm-5pm

Course Description

PSD’s 16-hour comprehensive TREAT training, conveniently delivered through four four-hour live, online webinars, will expose attendees to time efficient modeling procedures and methods. Attendees will learn how to leverage the TREAT modeling software to model and evaluate typical improvement workscopes used by weatherization programs, construct energy models of multifamily buildings from ‘scratch’, and apply templates to streamline the evaluation of standardized improvements.

The course is comprehensive and will cover apartment sampling, energy model calibration, modeling strategies, data entry problem solving, billing analysis, quantifying interactions between systems, predicted energy savings, and calculating SIRs. Students will be given homework assignment each day so that they can practice building TREAT models.

Course Objectives

• Learn how to use the “Multifamily Existing Building Improvement-Driven Modeling Process” for improving energy efficiency in multifamily buildings using TREAT
• Integrate TREAT into the auditing process to improve overall project efficiency and productivity.
• Build a TREAT model with an appropriate level of detail to generate savings and workscope reports
• Demonstrate proper use of TREAT’s billing analysis tools to import a building’s actual energy bills and analyze baseline energy signatures and historical energy performance patterns
• Incorporate ‘non-energy’ benefits (i.e. health and safety measures) into the TREAT model
• Follow recommended procedure for ‘true-up’ of TREAT model
• Create and analyze the investment potential of individual ECMs and interacting sets of improvements
• Produce appropriate TREAT improvements reporting for weatherization projects
• Use TREAT to determine actual energy savings vs. predicted energy savings

Modeling is now a BPI requirement. Upon completion you will be eligible to receive up to 8 continuing education units (CEUs).

Register

Thursday, October 30, 2014 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM EDT

Interest in M&V related skills as they apply to the built environment continue to grow, by building owners, practitioners, financiers and other stakeholders in the energy efficiency sector. Our Fundamentals of Measurement & Verification training provides an understanding of procedures and workflows for developing and executing M&V plans.

Please join us for a free 30-minute free overview of our Fundamentals of M&V training, and how it can benefit you and your business.

Register

Date: November 5-6

Time: 9am-5pm

Course Description

This 2-day hands-on course will teach students how to leverage the free NREL OpenStudio modeling ecosystem to quickly and efficiently generate flexible models for energy analysis. Students will learn effective modeling workflows for using the OpenStudio Sketchup Plugin to construct building form and fabric and assigning space attributes. HVAC and service hot water systems will be configured using the OpenStudio Application. The OpenStudio Application integrates with NREL’s Building Component Library (BCL), providing libraries of pre-defined configurable energy conservation measures for easily modifying energy models. PAT (Parametric Analysis Tool) will be used to demonstrate how model variants can be configured to run in cloud computing environments (Amazon EC2). Students will also be exposed to OpenStudio’s capabilities for extension through Ruby Scripting, both for creating custom energy conservation measures and for generating useful summary and detailed output.

Registration includes all workshop material & continental breakfast and lunch daily.

Course Objectives

1. Learn to use the OpenStudio modeling ecosystem to effectively model the energy and lighting performance and consumption for new and existing buildings.
2. Learn how careful OS model configurations can allow for rapid alterations and manipulations.
3. Learn how to use the power of OpenStudio “measures” to easily evaluate changes to your building model.
4. Learn how to configure the Parametric Analysis Tool (PAT) for conducting modeling studies
5. Learn how to effectively extract and interpret results from PAT modeling studies

Course Agenda

Day 1

Use the OS SketchUp Plugin to:

• Load templates for providing default values
• Import idf or gbxml files generated by other tools
• Use Sketchup tools to create building spaces (form and fabric)
• Rapidly assign space load definitions
• Rapidly assign properties using construction and schedule sets at different hierarchies
• Configure spaces for daylight controls
• Create external shading objects/surfaces
• Collect/configure spaces into Thermal Zones and assign thermostats

Use the OpenStudio Application to:

• Use BCL to retrieve Configure Zonal Central HVAC systems and controls
• Configure Central HVAC systems and controls
• Configure Service Water systems and controls
• Add BCL measures to extend baseline model
• Incorporate utility bills for model/billing comparison
• Addition of measures to provide calibration roadmap

Day 2

Use Results Viewer to:

• Graphically examine detailed mode output
• Export detailed model output for further post-processing

Use Parametric Analysis Tool to:

• Select and configure OS measures from the NREL BCL
• Define simulation study by configuring Design Alternatives
• Use the Amazon EC2 resource to execute the simulation study
• Examine detailed model output

Special Topics

• How to create a “measure” for use in OpenStudio
• OpenStudio Measure
• EnergyPlus Measure
• Reporting Measure
• How to share measures to the BCL
• How to manage large simulation studies

Register

Course Description

Presented by PSD and the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) this comprehensive training course is designed to provide the necessary training for those seeking to achieve the status of Certified Measurement and Verification Professional (CMVP). More details about the CMVP designation can be found at www.aeecenter.org/certification/CMVP.

Proven energy savings are now playing a significant role in financing energy management programs, whether through energy performance contracts or through emission trades under schemes such as the clean development mechanism of the UNFCCC. While interest in savings data is growing, the state of the art in determining savings has also been rapidly evolving. This seminar will examine current best practices for determining and documenting savings, specifically reviewing the current edition of the International Performance Measurement & Verification Protocol (IPMVP).

Attendees will learn the process of designing a proper M&V program for their projects, including cost/accuracy tradeoffs, baseline adjustments, interactive effects, types of savings, maintaining transparency, and analysis methods. Examples of specific techniques will be presented, along with common pitfalls which can result in unreliable savings reports. These techniques are central to management under the new ISO 50001 standard for Energy Management Systems. Class time will include problem solving and debate.

Through participating in a “fundamentals” course, persons experienced in M&V will also appreciate the assembly of all of the issues, the debates, and engagement at their own level with expert instructors.  The CMVP exam will be administered at the close of instruction on day three of each seminar to those who have qualified in advance to sit for the exam by submitting a completed CMVP application and fee. Advance reading of IPMVP Volume I (available at www.evo-world.org) would be useful reading before the exam, though not required.

Accreditation: 2 AIA CEUs, 20  PDHs

Registration includes all workshop material & continental breakfast and lunch daily.

Course Outline

Reasons for M&V
• Types of uses for M&V
• M&V’s role in financing

Current M&V Protocols
• Relationship of IPMVP and other guidelines

IPMVP
• Its evolution
• Overview of IPMVP Options A, B, C & D

Developing an M&V Plan
• Principles of M&V
• Scope of energy to be monitored
• Differences between M&V for industry and for buildings
• “Cost avoidance” or “normalized savings?”
• Choosing independent variables for routine baseline adjustments
• Sources of data
• M&V budgets
• Selecting the baseline period and data
• Measurement systems design, commissioning & maintenance
• Baseline analysis methods
• Various forms of savings computation
• Valuing savings
• Routine procedures and QC
• Managing the uncertainty created by sampling, metering, modeling and unknowns
• Bias and rounding
• Reporting procedures
• Coordinating with other purposes
• When to do the M&V Plan

Current Issues in M&V
• Coping with missing data
• Cost/uncertainty tradeoffs
• Monitoring IAQ

Baseline Adjustment
• Why they are necessary
• Who does what, when

Key Elements of Success: Theory & Examples of IPMVP Options 

• Details of IPMVP methods
• Retrofit isolation (IPMVP Options A & B): Instrumentation issues
• Whole facility (IPMVP Option C): Utility billing issues
• Calibrated simulation (IPVMP Option D): Simulation issues
• Lessons from tough experience

Selecting Options: Which One Is Best Suited For My Project?

Adherence with IPMVP

Register

About the Trainer

Chris Balbach

VP of Research and Development
Performance Systems Development

Chris has over 15 years of experience using energy modeling and analysis software to analyze the investment potential of existing buildings, with a focus on energy efficiency, building durability, and occupant health and safety. He is an active member of the IBPSA-USA Board of Directors, chairs the AEE BESA (Building Energy Simulation Analyst) certification board, and is a voting member of the ASHRAE SPC 211 (Standard for Commercial Building Energy Audits).

Certifications:

PE, CEM, CVMP, BESA

Register

TREAT is our award-winning energy audit software for comprehensive energy analysis and building modeling.
A winner of the prestigious R&D 100 award, TREAT is the only energy audit software approved by the DOE for all residential housing types – including multifamily. TREAT is market tested, with thousands of users enjoying accurate results for over a decade of supporting whole house energy audits.

Learn how training can help you to get the most from TREAT.  Our trainer will be available to answer your questions.

The webinar is free. Please register in advance and we will send you a link.

Register

Date: February 18th, 2015: 1-3pm (EST)

Price: $95 / $47.50 (NYSERDA Discount)

A computer with microphone and speakers, or a computer in conjunction with a phone are recommended for participation.  Participants are eligible for 2.0 BPI CEUs.

Upon completion you will be eligible to receive 2 continuing education units (CEUs).

Register

Dates: February 23-26th
Times: 12:30pm-4:30pm

Course Description

PSD’s 16-hour comprehensive TREAT training, conveniently delivered through four four-hour live, online webinars, will expose attendees to time efficient modeling procedures and methods. Attendees will learn how to leverage the TREAT modeling software to model and evaluate typical improvement workscopes used by weatherization programs, construct energy models of multifamily buildings from ‘scratch’, and apply templates to streamline the evaluation of standardized improvements.

The course is comprehensive and will cover apartment sampling, energy model calibration, modeling strategies, data entry problem solving, billing analysis, quantifying interactions between systems, predicted energy savings, and calculating SIRs. Students will be given homework assignment each day so that they can practice building TREAT models.

Course Objectives

• Learn how to use the “Multifamily Existing Building Improvement-Driven Modeling Process” for improving energy efficiency in multifamily buildings using TREAT
• Integrate TREAT into the auditing process to improve overall project efficiency and productivity.
• Build a TREAT model with an appropriate level of detail to generate savings and workscope reports
• Demonstrate proper use of TREAT’s billing analysis tools to import a building’s actual energy bills and analyze baseline energy signatures and historical energy performance patterns
• Incorporate ‘non-energy’ benefits (i.e. health and safety measures) into the TREAT model
• Follow recommended procedure for ‘true-up’ of TREAT model
• Create and analyze the investment potential of individual ECMs and interacting sets of improvements
• Produce appropriate TREAT improvements reporting for weatherization projects
• Use TREAT to determine actual energy savings vs. predicted energy savings

Modeling is now a BPI requirement. Upon completion you will be eligible to receive up to 8 continuing education units (CEUs).

Register

Date: March 18th, 2015: 1-3pm (EST)

Price: $95 / $47.50 (NYSERDA Discount)

This webinar does not include the full creation of a model, but rather focuses on troublesome aspects of energy modeling, and the specific issues of the attendees. A computer with microphone and speakers, or a computer in conjunction with a phone are required for participation.  Participants are eligible for 2.0 BPI ceus.

These “Advanced TREAT Multifamily Modeling” topics are covered in this 2 hour course:

• Identify and understand advanced inputs for more flexible modeling
• Personalize TREAT with custom defaults for faster and more convenient modeling
• Understanding details of multifamily domestic hot water systems.
• Generating and understanding reports in TREAT – knowing which reports will help you troubleshoot your model
• Creating and understanding improvements and packages
• Understanding best practices for utility data uploads
• Opportunity to ask advanced modeling questions to understand issues in your current models

Upon completion you will be eligible to receive 2 continuing education units (CEUs).

Register

Date: April 8th, 2015: 1-3pm (EST)

Price: $95 / $47.50 (NYSERDA Discount)

Topics included:

• Strategic creation of spaces and surfaces
• Transformation of HVAC audit data into TREAT inputs
• Utility Bill upload, analysis and True-up
• DHW inputs
• Infiltration
• Fans
• Lights
• Appliances
• Improvements
• Packages

To benefit the most from this webinar, participants should have prior experience modeling TREAT software, or have attended the introductory webinar.

Upon completion you will be eligible to receive 2 continuing education units (CEUs).

Register

Date and Times:

• April 20-23, 2015 (1-5pm)

Course Description

This 4-day online training course will teach students how to leverage the free NREL OpenStudio modeling ecosystem to quickly and efficiently generate flexible models for energy analysis. Students will learn effective modeling workflows for using the OpenStudio Sketchup Plugin to construct building form and fabric and assigning space attributes. HVAC and service hot water systems will be configured using the OpenStudio Application. The OpenStudio Application integrates with NREL’s Building Component Library (BCL), providing libraries of pre-defined configurable energy conservation measures for easily modifying energy models. PAT (Parametric Analysis Tool) will be used to demonstrate how model variants can be configured to run in cloud computing environments (Amazon EC2). Students will also be exposed to OpenStudio’s capabilities for extension through Ruby Scripting, both for creating custom energy conservation measures and for generating useful summary and detailed output.

Course Objectives

1. Learn to use the OpenStudio modeling ecosystem to effectively model the energy and lighting performance and consumption for new and existing buildings.
2. Learn how careful OS model configurations can allow for rapid alterations and manipulations.
3. Learn how to use the power of OpenStudio “measures” to easily evaluate changes to your building model.
4. Learn how to configure the Parametric Analysis Tool (PAT) for conducting modeling studies
5. Learn how to effectively extract and interpret results from PAT modeling studies

Register

About the Trainer

Chris Balbach

VP of Research and Development
Performance Systems Development

Chris has over 15 years of experience using energy modeling and analysis software to analyze the investment potential of existing buildings, with a focus on energy efficiency, building durability, and occupant health and safety. He is an active member of the IBPSA-USA Board of Directors, chairs the AEE BESA (Building Energy Simulation Analyst) certification board, and is a voting member of the ASHRAE SPC 211 (Standard for Commercial Building Energy Audits).

Certifications:

PE, CEM, CVMP, BESA

Register

Date and Times:

• June 9, 2015 (8am-4pm)
• June 10, 2015 (8am-4pm)
• June 11, 2015 (8am-noon)

Course Description

Presented by PSD and the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) this comprehensive training course is designed to provide the necessary training for those seeking to achieve the status of Certified Measurement and Verification Professional (CMVP). More details about the CMVP designation can be found at www.aeecenter.org/certification/CMVP.

Proven energy savings are now playing a significant role in financing energy management programs, whether through energy performance contracts or through emission trades under schemes such as the clean development mechanism of the UNFCCC. While interest in savings data is growing, the state of the art in determining savings has also been rapidly evolving. This seminar will examine current best practices for determining and documenting savings, specifically reviewing the current edition of the International Performance Measurement & Verification Protocol (IPMVP).

Attendees will learn the process of designing a proper M&V program for their projects, including cost/accuracy tradeoffs, baseline adjustments, interactive effects, types of savings, maintaining transparency, and analysis methods. Examples of specific techniques will be presented, along with common pitfalls which can result in unreliable savings reports. These techniques are central to management under the new ISO 50001 standard for Energy Management Systems. Class time will include problem solving and debate.

Through participating in a “fundamentals” course, persons experienced in M&V will also appreciate the assembly of all of the issues, the debates, and engagement at their own level with expert instructors.  The CMVP exam will be administered at the close of instruction on day three of each seminar to those who have qualified in advance to sit for the exam by submitting a completed CMVP application and fee. Advance reading of IPMVP Volume I (available at www.evo-world.org) would be useful reading before the exam, though not required.

Accreditation: 2 AIA CEUs, 20  PDHs

Registration includes all workshop material & continental breakfast and lunch daily.

Course Outline

Reasons for M&V
• Types of uses for M&V
• M&V’s role in financing

Current M&V Protocols
• Relationship of IPMVP and other guidelines

IPMVP
• Its evolution
• Overview of IPMVP Options A, B, C & D

Developing an M&V Plan
• Principles of M&V
• Scope of energy to be monitored
• Differences between M&V for industry and for buildings
• “Cost avoidance” or “normalized savings?”
• Choosing independent variables for routine baseline adjustments
• Sources of data
• M&V budgets
• Selecting the baseline period and data
• Measurement systems design, commissioning & maintenance
• Baseline analysis methods
• Various forms of savings computation
• Valuing savings
• Routine procedures and QC
• Managing the uncertainty created by sampling, metering, modeling and unknowns
• Bias and rounding
• Reporting procedures
• Coordinating with other purposes
• When to do the M&V Plan

Current Issues in M&V
• Coping with missing data
• Cost/uncertainty tradeoffs
• Monitoring IAQ

Baseline Adjustment
• Why they are necessary
• Who does what, when

Key Elements of Success: Theory & Examples of IPMVP Options 

• Details of IPMVP methods
• Retrofit isolation (IPMVP Options A & B): Instrumentation issues
• Whole facility (IPMVP Option C): Utility billing issues
• Calibrated simulation (IPVMP Option D): Simulation issues
• Lessons from tough experience

Selecting Options: Which One Is Best Suited For My Project?

Adherence with IPMVP

Register

Date: June 10th, 2015: 1-3pm (EST)

Price: $95 / $47.50 (NYSERDA Discount)

Topics included:

• Strategic creation of spaces and surfaces
• Transformation of HVAC audit data into TREAT inputs
• Utility Bill upload, analysis and True-up
• DHW inputs
• Infiltration
• Fans
• Lights
• Appliances
• Improvements
• Packages

To benefit the most from this webinar, participants should have prior experience modeling TREAT software, or have attended the introductory webinar.

Upon completion you will be eligible to receive 2 continuing education units (CEUs).

Date & Time:

• July 21, 2015 (9 am – 5:30 pm)
• July 22, 2015 (9 am – 5:30 pm)

Course Description 

This 2-day hands-on course will teach students how to leverage the free NREL OpenStudio modeling ecosystem to quickly and efficiently generate flexible models for energy analysis. Students will learn effective modeling workflows for using the OpenStudio Sketchup Plugin to construct building form and fabric and assigning space attributes. HVAC and service hot water systems will be configured using the OpenStudio Application. The OpenStudio Application integrates with NREL’s Building Component Library (BCL), providing libraries of pre-defined configurable energy conservation measures for easily modifying energy models. PAT (Parametric Analysis Tool) will be used to demonstrate how model variants can be configured to run in cloud computing environments (Amazon EC2). Students will also be exposed to OpenStudio’s capabilities for extension through Ruby Scripting, both for creating custom energy conservation measures and for generating useful summary and detailed output.

Register

Registration includes all workshop material & continental breakfast and lunch daily.

Course Objectives

1. Learn to use the OpenStudio modeling ecosystem to effectively model the energy and lighting performance and consumption for new and existing buildings.
2. Learn how careful OS model configurations can allow for rapid alterations and manipulations.
3. Learn how to use the power of OpenStudio “measures” to easily evaluate changes to your building model.
4. Learn how to configure the Parametric Analysis Tool (PAT) for conducting modeling studies
5. Learn how to effectively extract and interpret results from PAT modeling studies

Course Agenda 

Day 1

Use the OS SketchUp Plugin to:

• Load templates for providing default values
• Import idf or gbxml files generated by other tools
• Use Sketchup tools to create building spaces (form and fabric)
• Rapidly assign space load definitions
• Rapidly assign properties using construction and schedule sets at different hierarchies
• Configure spaces for daylight controls
• Create external shading objects/surfaces
• Collect/configure spaces into Thermal Zones and assign thermostats

Use the OpenStudio Application to:

• Use BCL to retrieve Configure Zonal Central HVAC systems and controls
• Configure Central HVAC systems and controls
• Configure Service Water systems and controls
• Add BCL measures to extend baseline model
• Incorporate utility bills for model/billing comparison
• Addition of measures to provide calibration roadmap

Day 2

Use Results Viewer to:

• Graphically examine detailed mode output
• Export detailed model output for further post-processing

Use Parametric Analysis Tool to:

• Select and configure OS measures from the NREL BCL
• Define simulation study by configuring Design Alternatives
• Use the Amazon EC2 resource to execute the simulation study
• Examine detailed model output

Special Topics

• How to create a “measure” for use in OpenStudio
• OpenStudio Measure
• EnergyPlus Measure
• Reporting Measure
• How to share measures to the BCL
• How to manage large simulation studies

Register

Date: August 12th, 2015: 1-3pm (EST)

Price: $95 / $47.50 (NYSERDA Discount)

This webinar does not include the full creation of a model, but rather focuses on troublesome aspects of energy modeling, and the specific issues of the attendees. A computer with microphone and speakers, or a computer in conjunction with a phone are required for participation.  Participants are eligible for 2.0 BPI ceus.

These “Advanced TREAT Multifamily Modeling” topics are covered in this 2 hour course:

• Identify and understand advanced inputs for more flexible modeling
• Personalize TREAT with custom defaults for faster and more convenient modeling
• Understanding details of multifamily domestic hot water systems.
• Generating and understanding reports in TREAT – knowing which reports will help you troubleshoot your model
• Creating and understanding improvements and packages
• Understanding best practices for utility data uploads
• Opportunity to ask advanced modeling questions to understand issues in your current models

Upon completion you will be eligible to receive 2 continuing education units (CEUs).

Register

Dates & Times: September 15-18th, 2015

• Tuesday Sept. 15th (12:30-4:30pm)
• Wednesday Sept. 16th (1:30-5:30pm)
• Thursday Sept. 17th (12:00-4:00pm)
• Friday Sept. 18th (11:30-3:30pm)

Course Description

PSD’s 16-hour comprehensive TREAT training, conveniently delivered through four four-hour live, online webinars, will expose attendees to time efficient modeling procedures and methods. Attendees will learn how to leverage the TREAT modeling software to model and evaluate typical improvement workscopes used by weatherization programs, construct energy models of multifamily buildings from ‘scratch’, and apply templates to streamline the evaluation of standardized improvements.

The course is comprehensive and will cover apartment sampling, energy model calibration, modeling strategies, data entry problem solving, billing analysis, quantifying interactions between systems, predicted energy savings, and calculating SIRs. Students will be given homework assignment each day so that they can practice building TREAT models.

Course Objectives

• Learn how to use the “Multifamily Existing Building Improvement-Driven Modeling Process” for improving energy efficiency in multifamily buildings using TREAT
• Integrate TREAT into the auditing process to improve overall project efficiency and productivity.
• Build a TREAT model with an appropriate level of detail to generate savings and workscope reports
• Demonstrate proper use of TREAT’s billing analysis tools to import a building’s actual energy bills and analyze baseline energy signatures and historical energy performance patterns
• Incorporate ‘non-energy’ benefits (i.e. health and safety measures) into the TREAT model
• Follow recommended procedure for ‘true-up’ of TREAT model
• Create and analyze the investment potential of individual ECMs and interacting sets of improvements
• Produce appropriate TREAT improvements reporting for weatherization projects
• Use TREAT to determine actual energy savings vs. predicted energy savings

Modeling is now a BPI requirement. Upon completion you will be eligible to receive up to 8 continuing education units (CEUs).

Register

Date and Times:

• October 20, 2015 (8am-4pm)
• October 21, 2015 (8am-4pm)
• October 22, 2015 (8am-noon)

Course Description

Presented by PSD and the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) this comprehensive training course is designed to provide the necessary training for those seeking to achieve the status of Certified Measurement and Verification Professional (CMVP). More details about the CMVP designation can be found at www.aeecenter.org/certification/CMVP.

Proven energy savings are now playing a significant role in financing energy management programs, whether through energy performance contracts or through emission trades under schemes such as the clean development mechanism of the UNFCCC. While interest in savings data is growing, the state of the art in determining savings has also been rapidly evolving. This seminar will examine current best practices for determining and documenting savings, specifically reviewing the current edition of the International Performance Measurement & Verification Protocol (IPMVP).

Attendees will learn the process of designing a proper M&V program for their projects, including cost/accuracy tradeoffs, baseline adjustments, interactive effects, types of savings, maintaining transparency, and analysis methods. Examples of specific techniques will be presented, along with common pitfalls which can result in unreliable savings reports. These techniques are central to management under the new ISO 50001 standard for Energy Management Systems. Class time will include problem solving and debate.

Through participating in a “fundamentals” course, persons experienced in M&V will also appreciate the assembly of all of the issues, the debates, and engagement at their own level with expert instructors.  The CMVP exam will be administered at the close of instruction on day three of each seminar to those who have qualified in advance to sit for the exam by submitting a completed CMVP application and fee. Advance reading of IPMVP Volume I (available at www.evo-world.org) would be useful reading before the exam, though not required.

Accreditation: 2 AIA CEUs, 20  PDHs

Registration includes all workshop material & continental breakfast and lunch daily.

Course Outline

Reasons for M&V
• Types of uses for M&V
• M&V’s role in financing

Current M&V Protocols
• Relationship of IPMVP and other guidelines

IPMVP
• Its evolution
• Overview of IPMVP Options A, B, C & D

Developing an M&V Plan
• Principles of M&V
• Scope of energy to be monitored
• Differences between M&V for industry and for buildings
• “Cost avoidance” or “normalized savings?”
• Choosing independent variables for routine baseline adjustments
• Sources of data
• M&V budgets
• Selecting the baseline period and data
• Measurement systems design, commissioning & maintenance
• Baseline analysis methods
• Various forms of savings computation
• Valuing savings
• Routine procedures and QC
• Managing the uncertainty created by sampling, metering, modeling and unknowns
• Bias and rounding
• Reporting procedures
• Coordinating with other purposes
• When to do the M&V Plan

Current Issues in M&V
• Coping with missing data
• Cost/uncertainty tradeoffs
• Monitoring IAQ

Baseline Adjustment
• Why they are necessary
• Who does what, when

Key Elements of Success: Theory & Examples of IPMVP Options 

• Details of IPMVP methods
• Retrofit isolation (IPMVP Options A & B): Instrumentation issues
• Whole facility (IPMVP Option C): Utility billing issues
• Calibrated simulation (IPVMP Option D): Simulation issues
• Lessons from tough experience

Selecting Options: Which One Is Best Suited For My Project?

Adherence with IPMVP

Register

Date and Times:

• October 27-30, 2015 (1-5pm)

Course Description

This 4-day online training course will teach students how to leverage the free NREL OpenStudio modeling ecosystem to quickly and efficiently generate flexible models for energy analysis. Students will learn effective modeling workflows for using the OpenStudio Sketchup Plugin to construct building form and fabric and assigning space attributes. HVAC and service hot water systems will be configured using the OpenStudio Application. The OpenStudio Application integrates with NREL’s Building Component Library (BCL), providing libraries of pre-defined configurable energy conservation measures for easily modifying energy models. PAT (Parametric Analysis Tool) will be used to demonstrate how model variants can be configured to run in cloud computing environments (Amazon EC2). Students will also be exposed to OpenStudio’s capabilities for extension through Ruby Scripting, both for creating custom energy conservation measures and for generating useful summary and detailed output.

Course Objectives

1. Learn to use the OpenStudio modeling ecosystem to effectively model the energy and lighting performance and consumption for new and existing buildings.
2. Learn how careful OS model configurations can allow for rapid alterations and manipulations.
3. Learn how to use the power of OpenStudio “measures” to easily evaluate changes to your building model.
4. Learn how to configure the Parametric Analysis Tool (PAT) for conducting modeling studies
5. Learn how to effectively extract and interpret results from PAT modeling studies

Register

Date: October 21st, 2015: 1-3pm (EST)

Price: $95 / $47.50 (NYSERDA Discount)

A computer with microphone and speakers, or a computer in conjunction with a phone are recommended for participation.  Participants are eligible for 2.0 BPI CEUs.

Upon completion you will be eligible to receive 2 continuing education units (CEUs).

Register

Date and Times:

• December 8-11, 2015 (1-5pm)

Course Description

This 4-day online training course will teach students how to leverage the free NREL OpenStudio modeling ecosystem to quickly and efficiently generate flexible models for energy analysis. Students will learn effective modeling workflows for using the OpenStudio Sketchup Plugin to construct building form and fabric and assigning space attributes. HVAC and service hot water systems will be configured using the OpenStudio Application. The OpenStudio Application integrates with NREL’s Building Component Library (BCL), providing libraries of pre-defined configurable energy conservation measures for easily modifying energy models. PAT (Parametric Analysis Tool) will be used to demonstrate how model variants can be configured to run in cloud computing environments (Amazon EC2). Students will also be exposed to OpenStudio’s capabilities for extension through Ruby Scripting, both for creating custom energy conservation measures and for generating useful summary and detailed output.

Course Objectives

1. Learn to use the OpenStudio modeling ecosystem to effectively model the energy and lighting performance and consumption for new and existing buildings.
2. Learn how careful OS model configurations can allow for rapid alterations and manipulations.
3. Learn how to use the power of OpenStudio “measures” to easily evaluate changes to your building model.
4. Learn how to configure the Parametric Analysis Tool (PAT) for conducting modeling studies
5. Learn how to effectively extract and interpret results from PAT modeling studies

Register

Date and Times:

• March 21-24, 2016 (1-5pm EST)

Course Description

This advanced course focuses on using Ruby to code new OpenStudio measures and is designed for users already familiar with OpenStudio. Having taken our introduction to OpenStudio course is recommended. If you have not taken this course we may contact you to confirm your basic proficiency with OpenStudio. This class focuses on advanced use of the OpenStudio toolset.

Course Overview

1. A brief introduction about coding & ruby language.
2. Introduction of OpenStudio’s API (application program interface)
3. Openstudio’s object & how to integrate them with API
4. Access to building component library from NREL.
5. Introduction to written measures.
6. Demonstration of OpenStudio scripting.
7. Deep interrogation of ruby language for OS measure writing which includes introduction of ruby objects & scripts.

Register – Sold Out

Sold Out

Date and Times:

• May 24-27, 2016 (1-5pm EST)
• Optional 2- hour SketchUp Training Available May 23 for an addition $150. Many past students have asked to have this option added. Hosted from 1 to 3 pm EST.

Course Description

This 4-day online training course will teach students how to leverage the free NREL OpenStudio modeling ecosystem to quickly and efficiently generate flexible models for energy analysis. Students will learn effective modeling workflows for using the OpenStudio Sketchup Plugin to construct building form and fabric and assigning space attributes. HVAC and service hot water systems will be configured using the OpenStudio Application. The OpenStudio Application integrates with NREL’s Building Component Library (BCL), providing libraries of pre-defined configurable energy conservation measures for easily modifying energy models. PAT (Parametric Analysis Tool) will be used to demonstrate how model variants can be configured to run in cloud computing environments (Amazon EC2). Students will also be exposed to OpenStudio’s capabilities for extension through Ruby Scripting, both for creating custom energy conservation measures and for generating useful summary and detailed output.

Course Objectives

1. Learn to use the OpenStudio modeling ecosystem to effectively model the energy and lighting performance and consumption for new and existing buildings.
2. Learn how careful OS model configurations can allow for rapid alterations and manipulations.
3. Learn how to use the power of OpenStudio “measures” to easily evaluate changes to your building model.
4. Learn how to configure the Parametric Analysis Tool (PAT) for conducting modeling studies
5. Learn how to effectively extract and interpret results from PAT modeling studies

Register

Date and Times:

• July 28,29 and August 1,2,3 2016 (1-5pm EST)
• July 27 – Optional SketchUp Training for an additional $150 (1-3pm EST)

Course Description

This 5-day online training course will teach students how to leverage the free NREL OpenStudio modeling ecosystem to quickly and efficiently generate flexible models for energy analysis. Students will learn effective modeling workflows for using the OpenStudio Sketchup Plugin to construct building form and fabric and assigning space attributes. HVAC and service hot water systems will be configured using the OpenStudio Application. The OpenStudio Application integrates with NREL’s Building Component Library (BCL), providing libraries of pre-defined configurable energy conservation measures for easily modifying energy models. PAT (Parametric Analysis Tool) will be used to demonstrate how model variants can be configured to run in cloud computing environments (Amazon EC2). Students will also be exposed to OpenStudio’s capabilities for extension through Ruby Scripting, both for creating custom energy conservation measures and for generating useful summary and detailed output.

Course Objectives

1. Learn to use the OpenStudio modeling ecosystem to effectively model the energy and lighting performance and consumption for new and existing buildings.
2. Learn how careful OS model configurations can allow for rapid alterations and manipulations.
3. Learn how to use the power of OpenStudio “measures” to easily evaluate changes to your building model.
4. Learn how to configure the Parametric Analysis Tool (PAT) for conducting modeling studies
5. Learn how to effectively extract and interpret results from PAT modeling studies

Sign up for the course on the ASHRAE Website

Date and Times:

• Preconference session Monday August 8 from 1 to 5pm

Course Description

As interest in performance verification and model validation continues to grow, Energy Modelers should consider familiarizing themselves with new IMPVP Option D approaches. IPMVP represents a set of internationally accepted protocols for quantifying project related savings, including the Option D approach. Calibrated energy models form the foundation of all IPMVP Option D savings estimations. Option D activities involve generating a calibrated ‘as operating’ model, and the subsequent replacement of components of the calibrated model to estimate project savings.  In addition, Option D is the only IPMVP option which can be accomplished post facto. This powerful attribute allows IPMVP adherent savings to be determined for nearly ANY energy efficiency project. Until recently, cost-effective methods for quantifying the accuracy of model calibration efforts have been difficult for practitioners to develop and/or execute, preventing Option D from being applied to projects in any scalable manner.  However, recent advances in the OpenStudio suite of tools provide new ways for users to interact with a calibration framework that can be used for either new construction or retrofit projects – including incorporating uncertainty analysis. Course attendees will be exposed to this framework, allowing them to explore the uncertainty of input parameters and discover sometimes unexpected solutions that might lie within a large parameter space. Students will use OpenStudio tools to configure an analysis scenario involving calibration, apply parameter sensitivity analysis to determine parameters of influence, and execute a calibration exercise where solutions are discovered.  The course will be jointly taught by PSD’s Chris Balbach and NREL’s Brian Ball

Register

Date and Times:

• (Online 5-days) February 9-10 and 13-15, 201 (1-5pm EST)
• (Optional 2-Hour) SketchUp Training: February 8, 2017 (1-3pm EST), +$150.00

Course Description

This 5-day online training course will teach students how to leverage the free NREL OpenStudio modeling ecosystem to quickly and efficiently generate flexible models for energy analysis. Students will learn effective modeling workflows for using the OpenStudio Sketchup Plugin to construct building form and fabric and assigning space attributes. HVAC and service hot water systems will be configured using the OpenStudio Application. The OpenStudio Application integrates with NREL’s Building Component Library (BCL), providing libraries of pre-defined configurable energy conservation measures for easily modifying energy models. PAT (Parametric Analysis Tool) will be used to demonstrate how model variants can be configured to run in cloud computing environments (Amazon EC2). Students will also be exposed to OpenStudio’s capabilities for extension through Ruby Scripting, both for creating custom energy conservation measures and for generating useful summary and detailed output.

Course Objectives

1. Learn to use the OpenStudio modeling ecosystem to effectively model the energy and lighting performance and consumption for new and existing buildings.
2. Learn how careful OS model configurations can allow for rapid alterations and manipulations.
3. Learn how to use the power of OpenStudio “measures” to easily evaluate changes to your building model.
4. Learn how to configure the Parametric Analysis Tool (PAT) for conducting modeling studies
5. Learn how to effectively extract and interpret results from PAT modeling studies

Register

Date and Times:

• (Online 5-days) February 9-10 and 13-15, 201 (1-5pm EST)
• (Optional 2-Hour) SketchUp Training: February 8, 2017 (1-3pm EST), +$150.00

Course Description

This 5-day online training course will teach students how to leverage the free NREL OpenStudio modeling ecosystem to quickly and efficiently generate flexible models for energy analysis. Students will learn effective modeling workflows for using the OpenStudio Sketchup Plugin to construct building form and fabric and assigning space attributes. HVAC and service hot water systems will be configured using the OpenStudio Application. The OpenStudio Application integrates with NREL’s Building Component Library (BCL), providing libraries of pre-defined configurable energy conservation measures for easily modifying energy models. PAT (Parametric Analysis Tool) will be used to demonstrate how model variants can be configured to run in cloud computing environments (Amazon EC2). Students will also be exposed to OpenStudio’s capabilities for extension through Ruby Scripting, both for creating custom energy conservation measures and for generating useful summary and detailed output.

Course Objectives

1. Learn to use the OpenStudio modeling ecosystem to effectively model the energy and lighting performance and consumption for new and existing buildings.
2. Learn how careful OS model configurations can allow for rapid alterations and manipulations.
3. Learn how to use the power of OpenStudio “measures” to easily evaluate changes to your building model.
4. Learn how to configure the Parametric Analysis Tool (PAT) for conducting modeling studies
5. Learn how to effectively extract and interpret results from PAT modeling studies

Register

Dates: March 6th-9th
Times: 1pm-5pm

Course Description

PSD’s 16-hour comprehensive TREAT training, conveniently delivered through four four-hour live, online webinars, will expose attendees to time efficient modeling procedures and methods. Attendees will learn how to leverage the TREAT modeling software to model and evaluate typical improvement workscopes used by weatherization programs, construct energy models of multifamily buildings from ‘scratch’, and apply templates to streamline the evaluation of standardized improvements.

The course is comprehensive and will cover apartment sampling, energy model calibration, modeling strategies, data entry problem solving, billing analysis, quantifying interactions between systems, predicted energy savings, and calculating SIRs. Students will be given homework assignment each day so that they can practice building TREAT models.

Course Objectives

• Learn how to use the “Multifamily Existing Building Improvement-Driven Modeling Process” for improving energy efficiency in multifamily buildings using TREAT
• Integrate TREAT into the auditing process to improve overall project efficiency and productivity.
• Build a TREAT model with an appropriate level of detail to generate savings and workscope reports
• Demonstrate proper use of TREAT’s billing analysis tools to import a building’s actual energy bills and analyze baseline energy signatures and historical energy performance patterns
• Incorporate ‘non-energy’ benefits (i.e. health and safety measures) into the TREAT model
• Follow recommended procedure for ‘true-up’ of TREAT model
• Create and analyze the investment potential of individual ECMs and interacting sets of improvements
• Produce appropriate TREAT improvements reporting for weatherization projects
• Use TREAT to determine actual energy savings vs. predicted energy savings

Modeling is now a BPI requirement. Upon completion you will be eligible to receive up to 8 continuing education units (CEUs).

Register

Only 4 hours over 2 days, so it’s easy to fit in your schedule!

Time: 1pm to 5pm each day

Price: $225

Interested in reducing your modeling effort? TREAT Single Family training is perfect for new and current TREAT users. We’ll teach you the best practices needed to streamline your modeling time. Reducing data input effort, calibrating your models, and ensuring that your projects are accurate and show savings!

This eight-hour training will help you get the most from TREAT, our award-winning energy modeling software.  The course focuses predominately on using TREAT for single family residential projects. We will cover a bit of Multifamily modeling towards the end of day 2!

• Learn techniques to streamline the modeling process and complete more models in less time.
• Learn the TREAT essentials you’ll need to become more productive.
  • Utilizing smart defaults and preferences to reduce your modeling effort!
• Create a sample building energy model during the class.
• Learn more about some of the latest features available in TREAT 3.5!

Creating a model of energy usage can be complex!  This training covers the TREAT features, including the Project Wizard, that will help you create TREAT models quickly and efficiently.

Accreditation: 6 BPI CEUs

Register

Date and Times:

• (Online 5-days) Jan. 8-12, 2018 (1-5pm EST)

Course Description

This 5-day online training course will teach students how to leverage the free NREL OpenStudio modeling ecosystem to quickly and efficiently generate flexible models for energy analysis. Students will learn effective modeling workflows for using the OpenStudio Sketchup Plugin to construct building form and fabric and assigning space attributes. HVAC and service hot water systems will be configured using the OpenStudio Application. The OpenStudio Application integrates with NREL’s Building Component Library (BCL), providing libraries of pre-defined configurable energy conservation measures for easily modifying energy models. PAT (Parametric Analysis Tool) will be used to demonstrate how model variants can be configured to run in cloud computing environments (Amazon EC2). Students will also be exposed to OpenStudio’s capabilities for extension through Ruby Scripting, both for creating custom energy conservation measures and for generating useful summary and detailed output.

Course Objectives

1. Learn to use the OpenStudio modeling ecosystem to effectively model the energy and lighting performance and consumption for new and existing buildings.
2. Learn how careful OS model configurations can allow for rapid alterations and manipulations.
3. Learn how to use the power of OpenStudio “measures” to easily evaluate changes to your building model.
4. Learn how to configure the Parametric Analysis Tool (PAT) for conducting modeling studies
5. Learn how to effectively extract and interpret results from PAT modeling studies