Become more powerless.
Power. It consumes resources both natural and monetary. Every degree, light, and outlet. Every BTU comes at a price. And when it comes to commercial spaces, that price is too often more – much more – than necessary.
Energy Studio specializes in helping architects, engineers, developers, and building owners maximize energy efficiency and minimize costs.
So when it comes to energy consumption, we make big spaces* act small. And be as powerless as possible.
*We consider anything over 10,000 square feet to be “big.”
Properly applied science.
Energy management, when done right, means looking at the big picture.
We want to connect with owners, operators, engineers and architects who share our interest in understanding where energy is being used in buildings and how it can be saved.
Whatever service you need from us, trust that much more will be delivered every time.
Initiated early and utilized throughout the design process, energy modeling can help architects and engineers study design alternatives and make energy-conscious decisions.
Calibrated energy modeling replicates an existing building’s envelope, lighting and HVAC systems to assess energy performance and develop methods to reduce consumption, demand and cost.
Contact us to get started.
Effective energy management involves identifying and understanding where and why energy is used in a building and using that information to measure, manage, and minimize consumption. This can take many forms, from Utility Bill Analysis or Life-Cycle Cost Analysis to Energy Audits, Measurement & Verification, or Building Retuning, and can include a variety of partnerships, certifications, incentive programs or financing mechanisms.
We view energy management as a process, and understand there is no ‘one size’ solution for every project.
Contact us to discuss how we can help make your building more powerless.
We also understand that every building is unique, and energy use is highly dependent on operation and function. Want to understand your building better? We can help. Contact us.
Over a billion watt-hours saved.*
Here is a sampling of the numerous projects we’ve been involved in.
Some are quite disparate, others a bit similar. But all ended up creating a smaller energy footprint.
*A very, very low estimate.
Rockford Construction HQ
Grand Rapids, MIChallenge
Rockford Construction in Grand Rapids, Michigan, purchased a former warehouse in a blighted area with designs of converting it into its headquarters. With its expansive spaces and an exterior envelope that was less than energy efficient, the design-build project was the perfect test for Energy Studio’s expertise.
The project’s primary challenge was to reduce the building’s energy use intensity to help achieve an aggressive goal of Platinum LEED certification. The owner was interested in evaluating several building envelope improvements, daylight harvesting, and mechanical system choices to determine the most energy efficient and cost effective solution available. Additionally, the owner wanted the three-story entrance lobby to be a visual beacon from downtown Grand Rapids.
Solution
During the schematic design energy modeling exercise, Energy Studio found that the large all-glass south facing atrium was contributing to a significant portion of the building energy use. Working with the architects, we were able to develop a design that reduce the amount of energy used to heat and cool this space while maintaining the ability to daylight the space and still allowing the south facade to define the facility from downtown Grand Rapids.
Energy efficiency was achieved through the use an under floor air distribution system that is served by a high-efficiency rooftop unit, reduced installed lighting power, daylight harvesting, and a significantly improved building envelope that included continuous wall insulation, high efficiency glazing, and an R-40 roof.
The current design model projects an annual energy cost savings of 41%. Additionally, the project will earn several local utility incentives and full credit under the IRS Section 179d tax deduction. Energy efficiency really does pay off.
MSU Bond Learning Center
Springfield, MissouriChallenge
An architecture/engineering firm created an energy model for this 30,000 square foot facility, but had trouble modeling its geothermal well field. Additionally, the model was built based on the original building floor plan, but an alternative design was later accepted that expanded the building size. The model either needed to be expanded as well, or a new model created. Decision makers wanted its staff to conduct the energy modeling , but were unable to dedicate the resources to train staff to do it efficiently.
Solution
The Energy Studio was hired to revise the model to include the expanded area and the geothermal well field. Using the original modeling files developed by the architecture/engineering firm, we added the new components, a banquet facility and support spaces. Additionally, revisions to the model file, such as consolidating the schedules and developing a baseline consistent with the ASHRAE 90.1-2007 Appendix G requirements, were performed. The Energy Studio will also provide the LEED-NC 2009 documentation for EA Prerequisite 2: Minimum Energy Performance and EA Credit 1: Optimized Energy Performance for this project.
Our success on this project led to an assignment at the University of Nebraska Medical Center with the same client.
North Hollywood Phase III Office
North Hollywood, CaliforniaChallenge
The owner of this 181,500 square foot office building and 195,250 square foot parking garage wanted to pursue the Energy Efficient Commercial Building tax deduction. However, the engineering firm that developed the original energy model for LEED certification did not have experience with energy modeling for the tax deduction.
Solution
The Energy Studio was hired to develop an energy model meeting the requirements of the Section 179 deduction of the Internal Revenue Code. We were able to document that the building owner was eligible for a tax deduction of over $225,000 for installing energy-efficient lighting throughout the facility.
Fort Riley Replacement Hospital
Fort Riley, KansasChallenge
The energy model file for this 550,000 square foot hospital, developed by the architecture/engineering firm that designed the building, was very large. The file’s run-time was lengthy, used more computer resources than it should have and was not allowing for the testing of design alternatives. The engineer who created the energy model was also having trouble modeling an optimized chiller plant that includes dedicated heat recovery chillers for space heating and service water heating.
Solution
The firm hired Energy Studio to address the challenges. We reduced the model size, cutting its run-time from 17 minutes to two minutes. We also developed a solution for the optimized chiller plant’s model, consulting with the engineers who are designing the plant and the dedicated heat recovery chiller manufacturer’s representative. Energy Studio’s services were later expanded to include LEED-NC v2.2 documentation for EA Prerequisite 2: Minimum Energy Performance and EA Credit 1: Optimized Energy Performance.
The successful completion of this project led to additional energy modeling assignments with the same client. These projects include the new 1-million square foot VA Omaha Replacement Medical Center and the VA Biloxi Dietetics and Laundry Facilities.
“We have worked with Energy Studio on a number of projects and they continue to provide exceptional results regarding the energy model with how it contributes to the overall energy performance of the building. Energy Studio is a vital part of our design team and we will continue to use them on future projects requiring energy modeling.”
-John Andrews, Vice President, Leo A Daly
Lexus of Henderson
Henderson, NevadaChallenge
The owner of this 83,500 square foot Lexus dealership established a goal of LEED certification for the facility. The energy model submitted to the USGBC for review in an attempt for LEED certification received many technical comments that required revision to the model and LEED documentation. The revisions were made and the documentation was submitted again, but many of the original comments were not addressed. The EA Credit 1: Optimized Energy Performance credits and LEED certification were denied.
Solution
The Energy Studio reviewed the preliminary and final models and all documentation that was provided to the USGBC. We audited the energy model to successfully move through the LEED appeals process and achieve LEED certification.
The successful completion of this audit led to an assignment to review the Measurement and Verification Plan created for this project, with the same client.
“Your approach to helping with projects on a credit-by-credit basis and your proposal for doing so worked perfectly for our project,” said Alicia Powers, LEED project manager, Lexus of Henderson. “Working with you was like getting to hit the ‘easy’ button.”
Presbyterian Hospital Matthews
Matthews, North CarolinaChallenge
The building owner wanted to retrofit its 220,000 square foot hospital with energy-saving measures to become eligible for a lower electric rate from the local utility. To be eligible, the building owner had to demonstrate significant reduction in the average peak electric demand. The facility’s commissioning agent was using spreadsheets to determine the projected demand savings to meet this goal, but the spreadsheets were cumbersome. Based on the size and complexity of the project’s air system, the firm wanted to determine if an energy model would be more flexible than a spreadsheet.
Solution
The facility’s commissioning agent asked The Energy Studio to help make that determination. We built an energy model of the facility from existing paper drawings, calibrated it to utility bills and tested alternatives, like variable speed drives on the supply fans in each of the air handling units. Additionally, the systems had been running on a 24-hour schedule, despite the fact that the entire facility did not operate that way. By using the energy model, we were able to determine the cost benefit of reducing the operating schedule to 15 hours for some air handling units.
The study demonstrated that installing variable speed drives and reducing the operating schedule would reduce the peak operating energy demand of the facility by over 90 kW, making the building owner eligible for a lower electric rate.
Our capacity is just right.
Amanda Bogner
PE, BEMP, PresidentAmanda, founder and president, went to KU for Architectural Engineering (Rock Chalk Jayhawk) and believes beautiful architecture is inherently sustainable. Her passion is to make beautiful buildings energy efficient too. When the weather cooperates, you can find her cycling or cross country skiing.
Annie Koch
PE, Project ManagerAnnie Koch is Energy Studio’s resident world traveler. She isn’t your average tourist, though; Annie spent a year studying abroad in Germany (where she took engineering classes in German – autsch!) and taught English in Thailand for another. She loves learning about people and experiencing different ways of life, and has the heavily stamped passport to prove it.
Nick Mandel
PE, Senior Energy AnalystNick Mandel love to tinker. In his free time, he dissects machines and puts them back together, curious about what made them tick. His passion for figuring out how things worked naturally led him to engineering, which he studied at UNL. Today, Nick brings over a decade of professional mechanical engineering experience to his work at Energy Studio. When he isn’t solving energy puzzles, Nick stays active learning new skills and spending time in the great outdoors. He also enjoys running and hiking with his wife and their Weimaraner, Wheatie.
Colin Miller
Energy AnalystAs long as he can remember, Colin has had a fascination with two things: buildings and the environment. Upon realizing these things could be combined into a career, working for Energy Studio was a no-brainer. Whether it is through his work as an Energy Analyst or by choosing to ride his electric skateboard instead of driving his car, Colin is constantly trying to make the world a greener place.
Alycia Noble
Project ManagerSome people are just destined to make the world a better place. Technically Alycia’s an energy analyst, but there’s a lot more to her story. With her Masters in Architectural Engineering from UNO/UNL, she’s passionate about saving energy, money, and the environment. Energy-awesomeness aside, she may not tell you that she’s also somewhat of a dog geek – serving as president of a local dog club, and training her German Shepherd, Hannah.
Jessica Renner
PE, BEMP, Project ManagerJess is what you would call a total powerhouse. She went to UNO/UNL for Architectural Engineering, but that’s just the beginning. By day, Jess performs energy analysis; by night, you can catch her jammin’ with her (Omaha Entertainment Award nominated) band Edge of Arbor. You’d never guess that she’s a total gearhead, and used to help her dad build stock cars. Rock on!
Start losing power.
To learn more about how we can help your building – whether it’s on the drawing boards or the historic register – be more energy efficient, call us at 888.503.7591 or fill out the form below. We are centrally located in Omaha, Nebraska.
