Energy Tools

Software Tools and Guidelines

There are a number of free software tools and guidelines for improving energy management and productivity, many of which are developed by the U.S. Department of Energy and are downloadable from web sites. Information on more than 125 software tools-from research grade software to commercial products with thousands of users-including where you can get them can be found on the Building Energy Tools Directory . Other tools designed for application to equipment and facilities typically found on Army installations include:

AIRMaster+ : AIRMaster+ provides comprehensive information on assessing compressed air systems, including modeling, existing and future system upgrades, and evaluating savings and effectiveness of energy efficiency measures.
MotorMaster+ 4.0 : An energy-efficient motor selection and management tool, MotorMaster+ 4.0 software includes a catalog of over 20,000 AC motors. This tool features motor inventory management tools, maintenance log tracking, efficiency analysis, savings evaluation, energy accounting, and environmental reporting capabilities.
NOx and Energy Assessment Tool (NxEAT) : The NOx and Energy Assessment Tool (NxEAT) helps plants in the petroleum refining and chemical industries to assess and analyze NOx emissions and application of energy efficiency improvements.
Process Heating Assessment and Survey Tool (PHAST) : The Process Heating Assessment and Survey Tool (PHAST) provides an introduction to process heating methods and tools to improve thermal efficiency of heating equipment.
Pumping System Assessment Tool (PSAT) : The Pumping System Assessment Tool helps industrial users assess the efficiency of pumping system operations. PSAT uses achievable pump performance data from Hydraulic Institute standards and motor performance data from the MotorMaster+ database to calculate potential energy and associated cost savings.
Steam System Tool Suite : If you consider potential steam system improvements in your plant, the results could be worthwhile. In fact, in many facilities, steam system improvements can save 10% to 20% in fuel costs. To help you tap into potential savings in your facility, DOE offers a suite of tools for evaluating and identifying steam system improvements.
FEMP Toolbox : FEMP has developed information on the latest in diagnostic tools and maintenance strategies for boilers, chillers, cooling towers, pumps, steam traps and other technologies commonly deployed in the Federal sector.
FEMP Operations and Maintenance Best Management Practices, Commissioning and Advanced Metering : FEMP has developed downloadable guides for O&M Best Management Practices , Continuous Commissioning and Advanced Utility Metering .
Roofing: RoofWise version 2.0 is an interactive software tool that provides an easy-to-use graphical method for constructing roof assemblies that evaluates thermal efficiency and estimates energy costs under normal operating conditions. The program uses ASHRAE Standard 90.1-1999 to determine minimum thermal insulation requirements for roof systems in a manner that is consistent with state energy codes. In addition, the program assesses a roof assembly's solar reflectance (e.g., for "cool roof" choices) when determining the building's minimum thermal insulation requirements and the associated heating and cooling costs. The RoofWise CD is available from the National Roofing Contractors Association .

Fact Sheets and Helpful Web Sites

The following are downloadable fact sheets to help energy managers make decisions on technology applications, cost and maintenance:

Steam Systems

Fact sheets on steam system optimization have been published by the U. S. Department of Energy's Industrial Technologies Program. These include:

"Install Removable Insulation on Uninsulated Valves and Fittings" is Steam Tip Sheet #17 (.pdf, 488Kb). This fact sheet focuses on reusable insulating pads for valves and fittings.
"Install an Automatic Blowdown Control System" is Steam Tip Sheet #23 (.pdf, 490Kb). This fact sheet includes a discussion of how automatic control systems contribute to energy savings.
"Upgrade Boilers with Energy-Efficient Burners," Steam Tip Sheet #24 (.pdf, 487Kb). This fact sheet takes a look at energy efficient burners - how they can save energy and when to buy one.
"Consider Installing Turbulators on Two- and Three-Pass Firetube Boilers," Steam Tip Sheet #25 (.pdf, 485Kb). This fact sheet concentrates on how turbulators can reduce stack temperatures, which ultimately results in higher fuel-to-steam efficiency ratios.

Photovolatics

The following two-page fact sheets from the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) at the U.S. Department of Energy were released in January 2004:

"What Is the Energy Payback for PV [photovoltaic]?" This describes how long it takes for four different types of installed photovoltaics to produce more energy than it initially cost to make the PV cells. The longest is four years, the shortest is one. Two of the types are available; the other two are "anticipated." The payback for pollutants/emissions is also considered. See the fact sheet (.pdf, 166Kb).
"Will We Have Enough Materials for Energy-Significant PV [photovoltaic] Production?" The answer given is "generally, yes." For a discussion of each material that is used to produce PV cells, see the fact sheet (.pdf, 167Kb).

Tankless Water Heating

There are a number of sources for information on gas and electric tankless and on-demand water heaters that are becoming more common and cost-effective in new and retrofit construction. For the latest information visit:

Performance Comparison of Residential Hot Water Systems (.pdf, 1.01Mb)

ENERGY STAR®

ENERGY STAR® has a new web page devoted to business improvement via energy management. The page begins with Guidelines for Energy Management, which links to a world of valuable information on the subject, and continues with several other important topics that also link to in-depth information. Also included are interactive tools, free software, and on-line calculators.

Geothermal Technologies Program

The Geothermal Technologies Program of the EERE at the U.S. Department of Energy has been redesigned for ease of use. It provides instant access to several areas of interest including information resources, financial opportunities, and deployment of geothermal technologies.

Global Energy Marketplace (GEM )

This powerful, on-line, searchable database of more than 2500 energy efficiency and renewable energy annotated web links has been sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and created by CREST to promote a more sustainable energy future and mitigate global climate change that results from energy use.

Codes and Standards

DOE's Building Energy Codes Program (BECP) - The BECP is a resource on national energy codes and standards.

Energy Modeling

Facility Energy Decision Screening (FEDS) is a windows-based software tool that can quickly and objectively identify energy improvements that can maximize savings. FEDS has been applied at over 60 Federal installations - including over 30 Army bases. A copy of FEDS (Ver 5.0.1) can be obtained by making an online request.

Miscellaneous

Resources

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