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SRS uses this blog to share information and generate discussion on current opportunities and solutions impacting commercial and public building stakeholders related to the assessment, benchmarking and optimization of energy and sustainability performance.

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  • Pike predicts retro-commissioning market to grow to $1.8B by 2014

    Commercial Building Retro-Commissioning Revenue Could Surpass $1.8 Billion in the United States by 2014, According to Pike Research

    Published: Thursday, 24 Mar 2011 | 5:00 AM ET
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    BOULDER, Colo., Mar 24, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Several substantial, durable drivers are expanding the potential market for energy efficiency retrofits in commercial buildings, which can provide energy savings ranging from 10% to more than 50%. In addition to cost savings, energy retrofits are attractive for purposes of greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions, energy independence, green branding, property valuation, and productivity. A key growing segment of the larger retrofit industry is the market for retro-commissioning projects, which provide savings of 10% to 20% with an average payback of slightly over 1 year.

    According to a recent report from Pike Research, the retro-commissioning market in the United States could grow from about $160 million in 2010 to more than $1.8 billion by 2014, under an aggressive forecast scenario. A more conservative baseline forecast scenario still calls for robust growth in the retro-commissioning market, with revenue reaching $759 million by 2014.

    “Retro-commissioning projects are low-risk investment opportunities with average cash-on-cash return on investment of over 90%,” says industry analyst Levin Nock. “As the commissioning industry matures from fewer than 2,000 commissioners at present to more than 20,000, it will probably consolidate around successful marketing and sales strategies. When mature, we believe that the annual revenue opportunity for retro-commissioning will be approximately $4 billion.” Nock adds that almost all buildings would benefit from retro-commissioning.

    However, in recent construction built within the past 10 years, the ROI is lower — about 40%, compared to 90% for older buildings. Pike Research’s analysis indicates that typical retro-commissioning projects will cost less than $1.00 per square foot.

    Pike Research’s study, “Energy Efficiency Retrofits for Commercial and Public Buildings,” analyzes the market opportunity for building retrofits in the United States. It provides a detailed examination of the market drivers, barriers, and industry dynamics in today’s market, along with several scenarios for future growth. The report includes an in-depth assessment of policy and regulatory factors, financing structures, demand drivers by segment, retrofit business cases, key industry players, and market forecasts. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the firm’s website.

    Pike Research is a market research and consulting firm that provides in-depth analysis of global clean technology markets. The company’s research methodology combines supply-side industry analysis, end-user primary research and demand assessment, and deep examination of technology trends to provide a comprehensive view of the Smart Energy, Smart Grid, Smart Transportation, Smart Industry, and Smart Buildings sectors. For more information, visit www.pikeresearch.com or call +1.303.997.7609.

    SOURCE: Pike Research CONTACT: Pike Research Ellie Stutts, +1-303-997-7609 press@pikeresearch.com Copyright Business Wire 2011 -0- KEYWORD: United States

    North America

    Colorado INDUSTRY KEYWORD: Energy

    Alternative Energy

    Environment

    Construction & Property

    Commercial Building & Real Estate SUBJECT CODE: Survey



  • Deadline for NYC LL 84 compliance extended to 8/1/11

    March 24, 2011 11:10 AM

    Landlords get extension on benchmarking law

    (GlobeSt.com) — The Bloomberg administration has extended the deadline for compliance with Local Law 84, which is requiring all existing residential and commercial buildings of at least 50,000 square feet to benchmark energy and water use. The law takes effect May 1 but the Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability said it won’t assess penalties for failure to comply with the benchmarking requirements until at least Aug. 1.



  • New ASTM BEPA Standard May Serve as a “Safe Harbor” for Building Energy Disclosure Regulations

    Click on the link below to view the whitepaper:

    http://www.bepinfo.com/images/pdf/ASTMBEPABennett.pdf



  • California’s Disclosure Law (CA AB 1103) delayed until 2012

    AB 1103 Commercial Building Energy Use Disclosure Program Order Instituting Rulemaking DOCKET # 09-AB1103-1 Assembly Bill 1103 allows the Energy Commission to implement the requirements of Assembly Bill 1103 in stages. The current proposed draft regulations require the initial compliance to begin on January 1, 2011. However, new proposed draft regulations will postpone the initial compliance date until January 1, 2012. Initial compliance will not be required on January 1, 2011. ——————————————————————————– For more information, please contact: Joe Loyer 1516 Ninth Street, MS 37 Sacramento, Ca. 95814 (916) 654-4811 jmloyer@energy.state.ca.us News media, please call: Media & Public Communications Office – 916-654-4989.



  • Deadline Fast Approaching for NYC Building Energy Use Benchmarking Data

    BY DAVID J. FREEMAN & JESSE HINEY
    The deadline for submission of energy benchmarking data for most large buildings in New York City is
    just around the corner. The due date, May 1, 2011, was established by Local Law 841 when it was
    enacted in 2009 as a component of New York City’s Greener, Greater Buildings Plan.2
    Benchmarking requirements apply to (i) any building that exceeds 50,000 gross square feet, (ii) two
    or more existing buildings on the same tax lot that together exceed 100,000 gross square feet, and
    (iii) two or more buildings held as condominiums that are governed by the same board of managers
    and together exceed 100,000 gross square feet.3
    Owners of these buildings must submit, to U.S. EPA’s Energy Star Portfolio Manager Benchmarking
    Tool, data specified by the Portfolio Manager Worksheet.4 The information is then directly uploaded to
    New York City’s electronic reporting structure.5
    The data required to complete the Worksheet requires coordination with tenants. Owners are
    obligated to request energy use information from separately metered non-residential tenants, and
    such tenants are required by law to provide such information.6 However, tenant failure to provide the
    requested data does not excuse an owner from performing the benchmarking process.7 Alternative
    ways of completing the submission without all tenant data include the use of an extrapolation formula
    or default values provided by the Department of Buildings,8 or aggregated information on the whole
    building’s energy use from Con Edison.9 The penalty for failure to benchmark is anticipated to be $500
    per quarter.10
    This year’s benchmarking results (based on 2010 energy data) will not be a matter of public record.
    However, benchmarking scores for covered non-residential buildings based on this year’s data will be
    available through the City Department of Finance’s website by September 1, 2012. Benchmarking
    results for covered residential buildings will become public by September 1, 2013. 11



  • SRS to sponsor 2nd webinar on “Understanding the New Building Energy Performance Assessment (“BEPA”) Standard

    Understanding the new Building Energy Performance
    Assessment (“BEPA”) Standard – ASTM E 2797-11

    Sponsored by Sustainable Real Estate Solutions, Inc. (SRS)
    Presented by Anthony J. Buonicore, P.E.
    Chairman of the ASTM Building Energy Performance Task Group

    Join our Webinar
    Date: March 29, 2011
    Time: 1:00 PM EST
    Presentation: 1 Hour
    Q & A: 30 Minutes

    Bundled price includes your copy of the ASTM Standard
    For the first time a standard methodology is now available to codify the collection of energy use data from commercial real estate properties. The ASTM BEPA standard provides a clear and precise methodology for building energy use and energy cost data collection and analysis that is consistent, transparent, practical and reasonable.

    Who should attend:
    Energy auditors & energy consultants
    Property due diligence consultants
    Architects, engineers & LEED AP consultants
    Building owners, managers, investors, lenders
    Government officials and energy service providers
    Building labeling & benchmarking consultants & attorneys

    What you will learn:

    • What forces are driving the ASTM BEPA standard
    • What problems the BEPA standard solves
    • What the BEPA standard accomplishes
    • What are the key components of the BEPA standard
    • What steps comprise the BEPA methodology
    • What the BEPA standard “standardizes”
    • What the criteria are for reliable data input
    • What the BEPA “deliverables” are to the client
    • How the BEPA standard is already being used in the market place

     

    Presenter:
    Anthony J. Buonicore, P.E.
    Chairman of the ASTM Building Energy Performance Task Group
    CEO, Buonicore Partners, publisher, Building Energy Performance Assessment News

    Moderator:
    Brian J. McCarter
    Chairman & CEO, Sustainable Real Estate Solutions, Inc. (SRS)

    Buy Now – Webinar limited to 100 participants


     - $145.00


     - $99.00


     - $55.00

     
     - $145.00


     - $99.00


     - $55.00

    CLICK HERE TO REGISTER:

    http://www.bepinfo.com/webinarRegistration.aspx



  • IMT & NRDC Launch Global Policy tracking website: buildingrating.org

    http://www.srmnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/IMT_BuildingRatingOrg_Website_Launch_03-08-11.pdf



  • Another legal opinion on ASTM BEPA Standard

    http://www.srmnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/Energy_Audits-Legal_Requirements_Feb11.pdf



  • CT next to add energy disclosure regs?

    Legislative Alert from CFE: Energy Efficiency Public Hearing Tomorrow

    Mar 7th, 2011 | By Environmental Headlines — CT environmental news | Category: Featured Story

    Connecticut Fund for the Environment sent the following Legislative Alert today about an Energy Efficiency Public Hearing Tomorrow regarding HB 6544 AAC Energy Efficiency (Read the bill here)

    The hearing takes place Tuesday, March 8 at noon in Legislative Office Building Room 1A.

    The Energy and Technology Committee will discuss a bill that could make it dramatically easier and more desirable for homeowners and businesspeople to upgrade their buildings’ energy efficiency.

    Why This Bill Matters:

    • Connecticut has a lot to gain from energy efficient building practices. Home energy efficiency improvement saves money on bills, reduces demand for fossil fuels and lowers carbon emissions. Thus far, however, the cost and lack of a secure return on investment have prevented many building owners from improving their buildings’ efficiency, and that low demand has kept our efficiency sector from growing as much as it could.
    • A building energy rating system harnesses market pressures by requiring building owners to disclose their building energy performance to potential buyers, renters and the public. With a time-of-listing disclosure, energy efficiency upgrades to a home will become a significant selling feature.
    • A low-interest loan system will help homeowners and business owners upgrade their buildings at lower upfront cost and lower risk.
    • This will create long-term stability and job opportunities in the efficiency sector.

    How You Can Help to Increase Energy Efficiency Statewide with HB 6544:

    Call the committee leadership: Tell them that this bill has your support, and ask them to work towards its passage.

    Sen. John Fonfara, co-chair 800-842-1420
    Rep. Vickie Nardello, co-chair 800-842-8267
    Sen. Bob Duff, vice chair 800-842-1420
    Rep. Lonnie Reed, vice chair 800-842-8267
    Sen. Kevin Witkos, ranking member 800-842-1421
    Rep. Laura Hoydick, ranking member 800-842-1423

    Testify in person: Anyone wishing to testify must sign up by 10:00 a.m. in Room 3900 of the LOB, and provide 10 copies of your testimony.

    Submit testimony: If you wish to submit testimony, but cannot attend the hearing, CFE will submit testimony for you. We must receive it by Monday at 4:00 PM. Send to: tferguson@ctenvironment.org.

    Click here for Model Testimony / Talking Points for calling legislators or writing testimony. We encourage you to use this sample testimony in talking about the bill. The more you can personalize it, the better–legislators need to hear that HB 6544 will help real people.



  • Another Legal Forum comments on New ASTM BEPA Standard

    http://www.environmentallawresource.com/2011/02/articles/land-use/new-astm-standard-for-measuring-energy-performance-in-commercial-buildings/

    With an increasing number of local and state governments adopting regulations that require reporting on building energy usage, ASTM International just made things easier by releasing a standard for collecting, compiling, and analyzing energy use in commercial buildings. The standard, which is a set of guidelines called the Standard Practice for Building Energy Performance Assessment for a Building Involved in a Real Estate Transaction (E2797-11), has a variety of uses. It can be used to develop data to assess building energy performance as part of a commercial real estate transaction, comply with regulatory reporting requirements, or develop plans for improving a commercial building’s energy efficiency improvements. You can purchase this new standard from ASTM here.

    How Buyers, Owners and Lenders May Use the ASTM Standard

    Keep in mind that, although it is not a certification or benchmarking tool, the standard is designed to be used in connection with programs such as LEED and Energy Star. The data collected under the standard offers more detail than an Energy Star rating and, unlike LEED certification, can be used to assess energy use within the time constraints of a real estate transaction.

    With commercial building buyers and tenants using energy efficiency and related green building criteria as a key element of determining a site to purchase or lease, look for building owners to use the standard to reduce energy usage, and, in turn, improve a building’s score in required reports, increase its value, make it more attractive to potential buyers or tenants, or receive an energy efficiency loan. Lenders also may analyze the data to identify where a building could improve its energy efficiency before offering loans for retrofits.