METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING ENERGY SAVINGS BY USING A BASELINE ENERGY USE MODEL THAT INCORPORATES A NEURAL NETWORK ALGORITHM

[0001] The benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/752,289, filed Dec. 21, 2005, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING ENERGY SAVINGS BY USING A BASELINE ENERGY USE MODEL THAT INCORPORATES A NEURAL NETWORK ALGORITHM,” is hereby claimed, and the specification thereof incorporated herein in its entirety.

[0002] The invention relates to determining energy savings and, more particularly, to determining energy savings by using a neural network-based energy use model to calculate a building's baseline energy use, and for determining energy savings from the baseline energy use calculation.

[0003] When implementing energy efficiency and conservation measures such as, for example, infrastructure changes, operational modifications, equipment retrofits and new energy management technologies in buildings in order to reduce energy use and thus energy costs, there has always been an issue of determining the “true” savings. Traditionally, two approaches have been utilized to determine energy savings for buildings, namely, high-level statistical correlation models using monthly degree-days and detailed facility models incorporating all on-site equipment and building parameters.

[0004] While degree-day models may be implemented off-site with historical data consisting of only monthly degree-days and energy bills and utilizing statistical regression models, these models have proven to be fairly inaccurate. Conversely, facility models have proven to be very accurate, but these models, such as DOEII, are very complex and require an extensive on-site evaluation of building design parameters, such as, for example, window coverage, directional orientation, insulation, and equipment, such as chillers, boilers, HVAC systems, lighting and motors. As a result, these models have been proven to be impractical in terms of time and cost for use with a portfolio of buildings, especially dispersed across a large geographic region.

[0005] As a consequence, without a timely, low-cost and accurate method to determine the true savings in energy and cost from energy efficiency and conservation measures, traditional performance contracts and new tradable conservation attribute markets have been difficult to implement.

[0006] This new tradable commodity, known as an Energy Efficiency Credit (EEC), represents the value of energy not used at a building through the implementation of energy efficiency and conservation projects. Several U.S. states have passed legislation establishing EECs with mandates for achieving a percentage of energy utilized in their state coming from efficiency or conservation. In these states, the electricity suppliers must purchase EECs equivalent to a percentage of their total annual retail sales, such as 4% by 2010 in the state of Connecticut. Not only do electricity suppliers in these “mandated” states purchase EECs, but many businesses, governmental agencies and educational institutions also purchase EECs voluntarily to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. Since an EEC has the environmental attributes of avoided air emissions including SO₂, NOx and CO₂ associated with it in accordance with the location of the energy reduction, an EEC may be purchased to reduce indirect CO₂ emissions. In the case of the former, states with mandates, EECs are certified by the states, usually under the direction of the public utility commissions. In the case of the latter, voluntary transactions, EECs are certified by non-profit certification organizations such as Green-e and Environmental Resources Trust (ERT). In either case, the key issue for certification is Measurement and Verification (M&V) of the energy savings derived from the energy efficiency or conservation project. The M&V process must be both highly accurate and low cost in order for the EEC market to fully develop and expand across customer classes.

[0007] It would be desirable to provide a computer-based system, computer-implemented method and computer program product for accurately determining true savings in energy and cost that is practical to implement and cost effective. The present invention addresses such problems and deficiencies and others in the manner described below.

[0008] The present invention relates to determining energy cost savings in an energy-consuming facility, such as a commercial building or group of such buildings, using a neural network model that projects or estimates the amount of energy that would have been consumed by the facility but for the implementation of energy efficiency or conservation measures. Energy savings are represented by the difference between the estimate of energy that would have been consumed but for the measures and the actual amount of energy consumed by the facility under actual conditions during a time interval after the measures have been implemented.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a computing system operating under control of suitable software is used to perform the method. In accordance with the method, baseline facility condition data is input to a neural network model generator. The baseline facility condition data represents baseline conditions experienced by the facility during a first time interval before energy conservation measures. The baseline facility conditions include at least weather conditions experienced by the facility. In some embodiments of the invention, the baseline facility conditions can further include facility occupancy data, representing the extent to which the facility is fully or partially occupied, and production or manufacturing data, representing the extent to which the facility is fully or partially engaged in its normal operations.

[0010] Baseline energy consumption data is also input to the neural network model generator. The baseline energy consumption data represents the amount of energy consumed by the facility during the first time interval. In some embodiments of the invention, such baseline facility condition data and corresponding baseline energy consumption data can be input for a plurality of such time intervals, such as on a per-month basis. For example, baseline facility condition data and corresponding baseline energy consumption can be input for each of 36 months.

[0011] In response to the baseline facility condition data and corresponding baseline energy consumption data, the neural network model generator generates a neural network model. The model is a neural network that represents or models how facility energy consumption responds to facility conditions.

[0012] Once the model has been generated, it is used to predict or estimate the amount of energy that would have been consumed by the facility but for the implementation of energy efficiency or conservation measures. Actual facility condition data, representing actual facility conditions during a second time interval after the energy conservation measures have been implemented, is input to the model. The actual facility condition data can be of the same types as described above with regard to the baseline facility condition data. For example, in an embodiment of the invention in which the baseline facility condition data consists of weather data, the actual facility condition data can correspondingly consist of weather data.

[0013] Because the neural network model was generated based upon the baseline facility condition data and baseline energy consumption, then in response to the actual facility condition data the neural network model outputs an estimate of the amount of energy that would have been consumed during the second time interval (under the actual facility conditions) but for the energy conservation measures.

[0014] Energy savings can then be computed. Energy savings can be defined by the difference between the actual energy consumed during the second time interval and the estimate of energy that would have been consumed during the second time interval but for the energy conservation measures. By determining energy savings with great accuracy and efficacy, this invention enables the creation and certification in accordance with regulatory agencies of tradable attributes, known as Energy Efficiency Credits (EECs), derived from implementing energy efficiency and conservation projects.

[0015] The specific techniques and structures employed by the invention to improve over the drawbacks of the prior methods and accomplish the advantages described herein will become apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention and the appended drawings and claims.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing system for determining energy cost savings using a neural network-based model.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram, illustrating an exemplary computer-implemented method for determining energy cost savings using a neural network-based model.

[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary sinusoidal functions representing percentage of hours above and percentage of hours below the saturation temperature.

[0019] FIG. 4 is an exemplary table summarizing the baseline data that forms the input data for the neural network model generator.

[0020] FIG. 5 is an exemplary table summarizing neural network parameters and their selections in the exemplary embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary screen display of baseline facility condition data and baseline energy data.

[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary database table structure.

[0023] FIG. 8 is a continuation sheet of FIG. 7.

[0024] FIG. 9 is an exemplary facility relationships diagram.

[0025] FIG. 10 is an exemplary vendor relationships diagram.

[0026] FIG. 11 is an exemplary forecast relationships diagram.

[0027] FIG. 12 is an exemplary table of baseline facility condition data and baseline energy consumption data.

[0028] FIG. 13 is an exemplary table of output data produced by model.

[0029] FIG. 14 depicts an exemplary screen display of baseline energy consumption, actual energy consumption, and projected electrical energy savings

[0030] FIG. 15 depicts an exemplary screen display of a “dashboard” or summary page, showing energy savings and related information.

[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 1, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an exemplary computing system 10 can be used to determine energy cost savings in an energy-consuming facility. The term “facility” as used herein refers to any group of one or more commercial or residential buildings or other operations that consume energy (for example, for heating and cooling the space). The invention can be used by, for example, owners or managers of the facility and related entities to assess whether energy-conserving or efficiency-enhancing measures that have been implemented are resulting in energy savings. Although in the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the system, method and computer program product are described in relation to a standalone computing system 10 for purposes of illustration, in alternative embodiments they can relate to a World Wide Web-based arrangement in which the user operates a client computer that is located remotely from a server computer. In such embodiments, the combination of client and server computers defines a computing system similar to computing system 10.

[0032] Computing system 10 can comprise a general-purpose personal computer such as a desktop, laptop or handheld computer. Such a computing system 10 includes a programmed processor system 12, a display 14, a keyboard 16, mouse 18 or similar pointing device, network interface 20, fixed-medium data storage device 22 such as a magnetic disk drive, and a removable-medium data storage device 24 such as a CD-ROM or DVD drive. Other elements commonly included in personal computers can also be included but are not shown for purposes of clarity. Although not shown individually for purposes of clarity, programmed processor system 12 includes a conventional arrangement of one or more processors, memories and other logic that together define the overall computational and data manipulation power of computing system 10.

[0033] Although in the exemplary embodiment of the invention computing system 10 comprises a personal computer or similar general-purpose computer, in other embodiments it can comprise any other suitable system. In some embodiments, portions of such a computing system can be distributed among a number of networked computers, data storage devices, network devices, and other computing system elements. It should be noted that software elements, described below, can be stored in a distributed manner and retrieved via network interface 20 from multiple sources on an as-needed basis. Similarly, they can be stored on multiple disks or other data storage media and retrieved or otherwise loaded into computing system 10 on an as-needed basis.

[0034] The methods of the invention, described below, are largely effected through the operation of programmed processor system 12 operating under control of suitable application program software. Accordingly, conceptually illustrated as stored in or otherwise residing in programmed processor system 12 are the following software elements: a user interface 26, a neural network model generator 28, a neural network model engine 30, and pre-processing elements 32 and 34. In addition, a database 36 is conceptually illustrated as residing in data storage device 22. Logical data flow among the elements is indicated in dashed line. As persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates can appreciate, these software elements are shown in this conceptual manner for purposes of illustration and may not reside in memory or other such data storage areas simultaneously or in their entireties. Rather, in the manner in which computers are known to operate, the software elements or portions thereof can be retrieved on an as-needed basis from storage devices 22 or 24 or from a remote computer or storage device (not shown) via network interface 20. Also, in other embodiments of the invention the functions of software elements 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 and 36 can be distributed over a greater number of elements or, alternatively, combined or condensed into fewer elements. Additional software elements commonly included in computing systems, such as an operating system (e.g., MICROSOFT WINDOWS), utilities, device drivers, etc., are included but not shown for purposes of clarity. In view of the descriptions herein, persons skilled in the art will readily be capable of providing suitable software and otherwise programming or configuring computing system 10 to perform the methods described herein.

[0035] Model generator 28 and engine 30 can be portions or components of a commercially available software tool 38 for predicting outcomes using a neural network model. One such software tool that has been found to be suitable is NEURALWORKS PREDICT, which is produced by Neuralware of Carnegie, Pa. It should be note that the invention is not limited to using any particular software, and that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will readily be capable of providing suitable neural network software in view of the teachings herein. As well understood in the art, a neural network is a non-linear estimation technique that replicates the function on neurons in the human brain through a collection of interconnected mathematical functions with dynamic weighting of connections enabling continuous “learning”. Neural networks form these interconnected mathematical functions from the input pattern, not the input data, and apply continuously changing weights in response to the level of correlation. As a result, neural network models are able to extract the essential characteristics from numerical data as opposed to memorizing all of the data. This reduces the amount of data needed and forms an implicit model without having to form a complex physical model of the underlying phenomenon such as in the case of a building. The NEURALWORKS PREDICT package is specifically directed to the use of a neural network to predict outcomes for any of a wide range of problems. PREDICT can be used by software developers who have no expert knowledge of neural networks. With only minimal user involvement, PREDICT addresses the issues associated with building models from empirical data. PREDICT analyzes input data to identify appropriate transforms, partitions the input data into training and test sets, selects relevant input variables, and then constructs, trains, and optimizes a neural network tailored to the problem. As persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will readily be capable of employing PREDICT or a similar commercially available software tool as described herein, or of otherwise providing suitable neural network software elements, neural network details will not be described herein for purposes of clarity.

[0036] The user can interact with computing system 10 through user interface 26 in a conventional manner. User interface 26 can comprise, for example, a graphical user interface (GUI) that operates in accordance with standard windowing and graphical user interface protocols supported by MICROSOFT WINDOWS or similar operating system. That is, the user can manipulate (e.g., open, close, resize, minimize, etc.) windows on display 14, launch application software that executes within one or more windows, and interact with pictures, icons and graphical control structures (e.g., buttons, checkboxes, pull-down menus, etc.) on display 14 using mouse 18, keyboard 16 or other input devices. What is displayed within a window under control of an application program is generally referred to herein as a screen or screen display of the application program. User interface 26 can include not only the logic through which screen displays are generated and made viewable but also computational logic that generates and organizes, tabulates, etc., numerical values to be displayed or otherwise output. Similarly, user interface 26 can include logic for importing, exporting, opening and closing data files.

[0037] A method for determining energy savings in an energy-consuming facility is illustrated by the steps shown in FIG. 2. The facility can be, for example, a commercial or residential building or group of such buildings. Although for purposes of illustration with regard to the exemplary embodiment of the invention, a facility is described that is involved in manufacturing, the facility can be involved in any sort of operations in which it is desirable to conserve energy or maximize energy use efficiency. For example, essentially all facilities that purchase electricity from utility companies for purposes such as heating, cooling and illuminating the facility desire to conserve energy or maximize efficiency. As noted above, the method is primarily effected through the operation of programmed processor system 12 (FIG. 1) operating under control of an application program (software). The application program can thus comprise some or all of the software elements shown in FIG. 1 and can be provided to computing system 10 via a network 40, such as the Internet, or via one or more removable disks 42, such as CD-ROMs, DVDs, etc.). Note that the application program or other such software stored or otherwise carried on such media constitutes a “computer program product.”

[0038] The method begins when the user causes the application program to begin executing. Although not specifically shown for purposes of clarity, user interface 26 can generate a screen display with a main menu of options that allows a user to navigate to any selected step, such that the method begins or continues at that step. It should be noted that the order in which the steps are shown in FIG. 2 is intended only to be exemplary, and the steps can be performed in any other suitable order. Also, additional steps can be included. Steps along the lines of those shown in FIG. 2 can be combined with other such steps to define a method having a smaller number of steps and, conversely, the steps shown in FIG. 2 can be separated into a greater number of steps. In view of the teachings herein, all such variations and combinations will occur readily to persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Also, preliminary steps of the types commonly performed by users of interactive software application programs, such as setting up options, customizing user preferences, etc., are not shown for purposes of clarity but can be included.

[0039] At step 44, baseline facility condition data is input. The baseline facility condition data represents facility conditions during a first time interval before the energy conservation measures whose effect is to be measured in terms of savings have been implemented. Baseline facility condition data can include weather conditions experienced by the facility during the time interval as well as occupancy data and production data. Preferably, the baseline facility condition data includes at least weather data. The user can be prompted through user interface 26 (FIG. 1) to load or otherwise select data files to input. However, as noted below, some types of data can be automatically collected and input without user interaction. Although it is contemplated that the inputting steps be performed largely by loading or downloading data files, some types of data can be input by the user manually typing in the data. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the facility condition data is stored in database 36 upon inputting it to computer system 10 and prior to further processing. Nevertheless, in other embodiments the input data can be received, stored and otherwise manipulated in any suitable manner.

[0040] In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the baseline facility condition data includes historical datasets representing data gathered over a time interval of at least about 24 months and preferably no more than about 36 months. Historical weather datasets can include, for example, measurements of dry bulb temperature, wet bulb temperature, and solar radiation for each hour of the time interval. Although a user can input historical weather datasets by loading a file, alternatively, computing system 10 or an associated data gathering system that in turn provides data to computing system 10 can electronically collect (e.g., via the Internet) measurements of dry bulb temperature, wet bulb temperature, solar radiation, and other weather-related conditions for the geographic location of the facility from a weather agency such as the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). If the weather agency or data gathering system does not maintain a historical database of data gathered over the relevant time interval, computing system 10 can itself query the weather agency hourly over the relevant time interval until the data is collected.

[0041] Historical occupancy datasets can include, for example, the peak number of persons occupying the facility on each day of the time interval. In instances in which the facility comprises one or more buildings with large variations in occupancy among them, which is sometime the case in the lodging and healthcare industries, peak daily occupation can be utilized, when available.

[0042] In instances in which the facility is involved in manufacturing or other industrial operations, historical production data can also be included in the baseline facility condition data. Historical production data can include, for example, the number of product units manufactured on each day of the time interval. In instances in which the facility comprises buildings with several independent production lines, the production data can include production levels for each line. For buildings with many independent production lines, production lines are preferably aggregated into a smaller number of lines, such as about three to five lines. Occupancy and production data can be input by the user filling out spreadsheet templates, which convert the data for automated input to database 36.

[0043] In the exemplary embodiment, step 44 of inputting baseline facility condition data further comprises performing some pre-processing of that data (by means of pre-processing element 32 (FIG. 1)) before inputting it to neural network model generator 28, as described below. As part of such pre-processing, two additional weather-based statistical variables are created from the dry bulb temperature data: hours above saturation temperature per billing month and hours below saturation temperature per billing month. These two additional variables incorporate the latency effects of extreme temperatures on the heating and cooling loads of a building and the resulting energy use. Other pre-processing can include summing all hourly and daily data and converting them to average monthly values that correspond to energy billing periods so that energy savings can be correlated more readily with energy utility company billings.

[0044] The saturation temperature is the average of the maximum and minimum saturation temperatures. The maximum saturation temperature can be found by an iterative trial process of calculating the percentage of hours for each month of the time interval (e.g., 36 months) that is above the trial temperature. On the initial iteration, the trial temperature begins at the minimum hourly temperature over the time interval. As the trial temperature increases (e.g., in increments of one degree), fewer months will have 100% of their temperatures above the trial temperature. The maximum saturation temperature is found when no month has 100% of the hours above the trial temperature. Conversely, the minimum saturation temperature is found by an iterative trial process of calculating the percentage of hours for each month of the time interval (e.g., 36 months) that is below the trial temperature. On the first iteration, the trial temperature begins at the maximum hourly temperature over the time interval. As the trial temperature decreases in increments of one-degree, fewer months will have 100% of their temperatures below the trial temperature. The minimum saturation temperature is found when no month has 100% of the hours below the trial temperature.

[0045] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the above-described iterative process generates two sinusoidal functions 43 and 45, representing percentage of hours above and percentage of hours below the saturation temperature, respectively, in each billing month, varying from 0% to 100% (0 to 1), i.e., percentage of hours of extreme temperatures. From the illustration, it can be seen that the saturation temperature ensures a very useful representation of the data by preventing the saturation of the curves with multiple points above 100% creating a flat peaks and loss of data.

[0046] At step 46, baseline energy consumed by the facility during the time interval is input. As with other data inputting steps, the user can be prompted through user interface 26 (FIG. 1) to load or otherwise select data files to input. As described above with regard to other data inputting steps, although a user can input historical energy datasets by loading a file, alternatively, computing system 10 or an associated data gathering system that in turn provides data to computing system 10 can electronically collect energy billing information over the time interval (e.g., using Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) protocols via network 40 (FIG. 1)). In the event that such a method is not available, the user can manually enter energy data into a spreadsheet template, which converts the data for automated input to database 36. Although in the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the energy consumption data is stored in database 36 prior to further processing, in other embodiments the input data can be received, stored and otherwise manipulated in any suitable manner. For any weather and energy data that computing system 10 can obtain automatically from a remote source via network 40, it automatically updates database 36 with new weather and energy data on a periodic (e.g., monthly) basis to maintain the baseline data in a current state.

[0047] Step 46 can further include performing some pre-processing on the energy data before inputting it to neural network model generator 28, as described below. As part of such pre-processing, the data can be converted, if not already in such a form, to monthly energy consumption values corresponding to utility company billing periods. Monthly energy billing data will usually require conversion because they are typically based on the energy supplier's (e.g., utility company's) reading of the applicable meter at the facility, not the calendar month. Moreover, the number of days for each billing month and the starting day for each billing month can vary by several days.

[0048] As billing months have different numbers of days, energy data should generally be converted from monthly totals to daily averages, such as electricity in terms of kWh/day, and natural gas in terms of Btu/day. Generally, the energy variables, principally electricity and natural gas, are modeled separately for the same building. However, the energy use can be aggregated for a single energy use model using either Btu or kWh. A summary of the baseline data that forms the input data for neural network model generator 28 is shown in FIG. 4. Note that, with regard to the use of a neural network algorithm, energy use can be considered a dependent variable, and weather or other facility conditions can be considered independent variables.

[0049] The exemplary screen display shown in FIG. 6 illustrates the manner in which the baseline facility condition data and baseline energy data can be displayed after they have been input and loaded into database 36 (FIG. 1). For purposes of usability, the humidity values shown in FIG. 6 are calculated by the system and displayed instead of wet bulb temperature.

[0050] Database 36 can be a standard relational database defined by tables and the data relationships. An exemplary table structure of database 36 is shown in FIGS. 7-8 with descriptive textual labels indicating the table contents. A facility relationships diagram, illustrated in FIG. 9, represents how buildings or other facility units are related to clients, corporate divisions, addresses, owners (potentially shared facilities), contacts, vendor accounts (energy supply), and other entities. Also, a vendor relationships diagram, illustrated in FIG. 10, represents how buildings or other facility units are related to vendors (i.e., energy suppliers such as utility companies) and the bills that the facility receives, as well as the types of charges seen on each bill (consumption—or energy used, base charges—or monthly delivery charges, monthly adjustments, etc.). In addition, a forecast relationships diagram, illustrated in FIG. 11, shows how buildings or other facility units and their corresponding input data (i.e., vendor bills, and weather data) are related to the facility's baseline energy use output.

[0051] At step 48, model generator 28 generates a neural network-based model 50 (FIG. 1) in response to the baseline energy consumption data and baseline facility condition data. Model 50 represents a facility's baseline energy use. As described below, model 50 can be used as a tool for projecting or estimating the amount of energy that would have been consumed by the facility but for the implementation of the energy efficiency or conservation measures in question.

[0052] In order to generate model 50, parameters for the neural network algorithm must be defined that are appropriate for the application. These parameters include the data variability or noise level, data transformation scope, variable selection scope, and network selection scope. The last three parameters refer to the scope or the range of options the algorithm evaluates in finding the best distributions of data, data subsets of variables and network types such as Multi-Layer Perception (MLP) and Generalized Regression (GR). Persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will readily be capable of defining suitable parameters for neural network tool 38 or other such neural network element. Commercially available neural network prediction software, such as NEURALWORKS PREDICT, typically automates or assists with parameter selection and other such setup tasks. A summary of suitable neural network parameters and their selections for execution of model 50 to determine a building's baseline energy use is shown in FIG. 5.

[0053] A table of exemplary baseline facility condition data and baseline energy consumption data to be input to model generator 28 is shown in FIG. 12. Also, although not illustrated for purposes of clarity, prior to execution, the model parameters generally must be defined in terms of data variability, data transformations, variable subsets, and network types for input to the neural network-based model 70.

[0054] In response to the baseline energy consumption data and baseline facility condition data (and further based upon the selected model parameters, as described above with regard to FIG. 5), model generator 28 produces model 50. Model 50 represents a baseline energy use model for the building or other facility unit that can produce monthly forecasts or projections over a time interval. A table of exemplary output data produced by model 50 in response to the baseline energy consumption data and baseline facility condition data (and for the time interval to which this baseline data corresponds) is illustrated in FIG. 13. Such baseline monthly forecasts or predictions enable a measure of the accuracy of model 50. An average monthly error and a weighted total error can be calculated to ensure that the forecast produced by model 50 is within acceptable error tolerances. For example, a weighted total error of less than 2% may be considered acceptable. If the error rates from the historical baseline energy consumption data and facility condition data are acceptable, model 50 is sufficiently accurate to be used to predict or estimate energy savings after an energy-conserving or energy efficiency-enhancing measure is implemented.

[0055] At step 52, actual facility condition data is input. The actual facility condition data represents facility conditions during a second time interval, after the energy-conserving or energy efficiency-enhancing measures have been implemented. The actual facility condition data can include weather conditions experienced by the facility during the time interval as well as, in some embodiments of the invention, occupancy data and production data, as described above with regard to the baseline facility condition data. The actual facility condition data can be input in the same manner as described above with regard to the baseline facility condition data.

[0056] Step 52 can further include performing pre-processing on the data (by means of pre-processing element 34 (FIG. 1)), similar to the pre-processing described above.

[0057] At step 54, model 50, in response to the actual facility condition data, produces a prediction or estimate of the amount of energy that the facility would have consumed had the energy-conserving or energy efficiency-enhancing measures not been implemented. The prediction comprises monthly values for each month in the second time interval.

[0058] At step 56, the predicted or estimated energy consumption is subtracted from the actual energy consumption for each month in the second time interval. The difference represents the estimated energy savings that resulted from implementing the energy-conserving or energy efficiency-enhancing measures.

[0059] After each subsequent billing month from the date the energy efficiency or conservation measure is implemented, the system can automatically re-perform some or all of the above-described steps, especially steps 46 and 48, so as maintain a current baseline. The predicted or estimated energy consumption for the current month can be compared with the actual energy consumption for the current month. An exemplary screen display, illustrated in FIG. 14, depicts baseline energy consumption, actual energy consumption, and projected electrical energy savings for a time interval in graphical and tabular form. Projected electrical energy savings is output in a pop-up window (not shown) in response to the user selecting “View Detail.”

[0060] Given that these energy savings calculations are accurate and scalable as well as low-cost in application to large numbers of buildings, new tradable attributes derived from implementing energy efficiency and conservation projects may be effectively created and certified in accordance with regulatory agencies. For example, several U.S. states have passed legislation establishing such tradable attributes, often referred to Energy Efficiency Credits (EECs). These states have mandates for achieving a percentage of their energy supply from efficiency and conservation similar to mandates requiring a percentage energy supply be from renewable energy as part of the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS).

[0061] At step 58, EECs corresponding to the computed energy savings can be generated, displayed and stored. In a manner analogous to that in which a renewable energy credit (REC) represents proof that one MegaWatt hour (MWh) of electricity has been generated from a renewable-fueled source, an EEC generated in accordance with the present invention can represent proof that, for example, one megawatt hour (MWh) of energy has been saved as a result of implementing an energy-conserving or efficiency-enhancing measure. EECs are denominated in MWhs and are equal to the energy savings, thus requiring no conversions or calculations. The avoidance of air emissions associated with the energy savings and the EECs are calculated by using the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conversion factors that are location specific. Based on the building's address, the system locates in the database the appropriate conversion factors for SO₂, NOx and CO₂. Database 36 can maintain the most current EPA e-Grid data on the conversion factors. To generate an EEC, the computed energy savings value and any related data that will be required by the certifying agency can be stored in database 36 or other data storage area in a format suitable for transfer to the certifying agency via either a paper form or electronic means.

[0062] A screen shot of a “dashboard” or summary page, illustrated in FIG. 15, summarizes the energy savings, EECs created, and the avoided emissions. The system makes a distinction between EECs that have been certified for sale and those tags yet to be certified. Typically, government regulatory agencies perform certification quarterly. Once certified, EECs can be traded on the market. (In FIG. 15, the EECs are referred to as “WHITE TAGS,” a Sterling Planet, Inc. brand name.)

[0063] Given that a user may have hundreds to thousands of buildings, the system is designed to be as completely automated as possible and serve primarily as a monitoring and reporting tool employing a highly advanced analytical engine. The complexities and operation of model 50 are mostly hidden from the user. However, the user may execute model 50 to evaluate various scenarios to determine the impact on the energy savings, EECs, and avoidance of air emissions. Scenarios may be either a change in location of the building or a change in the temperature (dry bulb). In the case of the former, the user can specify a different location for the building and execute the model to see how the building would perform in terms of energy usage in different climates. Similarly, the user may add or subtracts degrees of temperature to the average monthly temperatures (dry bulb). Scenarios apply to the created baseline energy use model and thus effect only the time period after the energy efficiency or conservation measure became operational.

[0064] It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions, and/or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only. Thus, the terminology is intended to be broadly construed and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. In addition, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, plural forms include the singular, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Furthermore, any methods described herein are not intended to be limited to the sequence of steps described but can be carried out in other sequences, unless expressly stated otherwise herein.

[0065] Moreover, while certain embodiments are described above with particularity, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention. It should be understood, therefore, that the foregoing relates only to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and that numerous changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.