2021 EDUCATION SESSIONS
We've Complied with the Benchmarking Law - Now what?
May 4, 2-3 pm
Approved for 1.0 general GBCI CE and 1.0 AIA LU
Speakers
Chris Weatherly, Energy Program Manager, Montgomery County Department of General Services, Office of Energy and Sustainability
Giovanni DiNitto, Account Executive, Siemens Industry, Inc., Building Technologies Division
Sandy Barrier, Senior Account Executive, ICF International
Description
Large Montgomery County-based buildings (over 50k square feet) must comply with the County Building Benchmarking Law. So how have organizations within Montgomery County lowered energy use intensity? Predominantly through upgrading to LED lighting. LED lighting a.) delivers immediate savings b.) is visible and c.) qualifies for Pepco incentives. It’s no coincidence that lighting represents over 80% of Pepco Commercial & Industrial Energy Savings program participation.
But this is changing- MBCx is quickly becoming the new LED lighting. Like LED lighting, MBCx a.) delivers immediate savings when implemented b.) is visible through data dashboards and c.) qualifies for Pepco incentives. Like LED lighting, make sure MBCx contractors are experienced in this emerging technology a.) ask for references b.) reach out to the Pepco incentive program and c.) consider getting three MBCx proposals. The Latin phrase caveat emptor, “let the buyer beware” applies.
What exactly is MBCx?
MBCx is a process. According to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, “MBCx is a process which maintains and continuously improves building performance over time. MBCx is defined as the implementation of an ongoing commissioning process with focus on monitoring and analyzing large amounts of data on a continuous basis.”
Will MBCx deliver energy savings?
No. MBCx is a process. The MBCx process must have reliable streams of energy data [i.e. the Building Automation System (BAS), electric utility interval data, etc.]. To that end, an Energy Management Information System (EMIS) is a must-have tool used in the MBCx process to organize, present, visualize, and analyze the energy data. A robust EMIS is critical for a portfolio the size of the County, but if you only have one or two buildings, similar outcomes can be achieved by analyzing BAS trend data in excel; however, this can be time-consuming even for those skilled in analyzing BAS trend data.
We are interested in MBCx; what are typical next steps?
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Step #1: Do your homework and google “What you need to know about MBCx”
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Step #2: Ask your Building controls provider, HVAC provider or Pepco incentive program about MBCx.
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Step #3: Collect and evaluate MBCx proposals
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Step #4: Check MBCx provider references
Learning Objectives
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Attendees will learn how their organization can lower its building's energy use intensity.
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Attendees will understand what Monitoring-Based Cx (MBCx) is.
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Attendees will learn how to evaluate if MBCx is the right fit for their organization.
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Attendees will learn how to offset costs associated with implementing MBCx.
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Attendees will be able to identify some typical next steps for those interested in MBCx.