GARD Analytics - Energy and Economic Analysis

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ENERGY AND ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
Related Project Experience
DOE-2 Model Description
EnergyPlus Training

GARD Analytics’ staff has been working with building energy and economic analysis tools for over 25 years. . The five principals of GARD Analytics specialize in utilizing and applying building energy simulation tools to analyze building energy efficiency, evaluate cost effective design and retrofit options for improving energy efficiency, comparing alternative building heating, cooling, refrigeration and power generation alternatives on the basis of annual energy cost and life cycle costs, and identifying markets where new technologies can compete with conventional building energy systems. Typically, these analyses are very extensive requiring parametric analysis techniques where large numbers of building and equipment simulations are performed to evaluate local, regional and national impacts of new technologies or new building energy codes and standards. However, we are experienced users of a wide variety of building energy simulation tools ranging from simple to detailed. Applying the right tool for the task ensures meaningful answers with a minimum of effort. GARD’s energy and economic analysis services include:

HVAC operating cost comparisons for new construction and retrofits
Parametric studies to support equipment development and marketing
Market segmentation analysis to identify competitive applications and regions for new and existing HVAC products
Utility rate impact analysis, including electric and gas deregulation, real-time pricing, fuel-switching, etc.
Energy management support including data analysis and simulations
Custom software development to extend the capabilities of current simulation tools including implementation in public release versions
Custom application development for a variety of software environments.

Energy and economic analysis tools can be extremely complex. Our in-depth knowledge of the internal workings of these tools allows us to apply them properly within their limitations. Our primary tools include:

DOE-2, BLAST and EnergyPlus building energy simulation. See our list of DOE-2 Models.
ASEAM enhanced bin method building energy analysis
Spreadsheets using enhanced equivalent full-load hours for HVAC equipment operating cost comparisons
BLCC and LCCID life-cycle cost analysis
DEECU utility bill calculator (developed by GARD)
Input and output data management utilities (developed by GARD)
Extensive library of utility rate data
Extensive library of typical building models

The GARD team’s unique mix of experience includes developing one of the first hourly simulation tools, developing new component models for DOE-2, providing user support and software development services for BLAST, developing an ASEAM to DOE-2 input translator, providing testing and support services for EnergyPlus and performing a wide variety of parametric studies. In addition GARD currently provides development testing and support services for DesiCalc, Gas Cooling Guide and Building Energy Analyzer. GARD stays current with the latest tools and techniques through active participation in ASHRAE’s Energy Calculations Technical Committee (TC 4.7) and the International Building Performance Simulation Association (IBPSA).

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