Energy Analysis Course

Lesson 1 • Introduction to Energy Metrics

Presents key performance indicators including specific energy consumption and energy intensity. These metrics form the baseline for benchmarking in later chapters.

Lesson 2 • Energy Forms and Properties

Covers thermal, mechanical, electrical, and chemical energy and their interconversion. Establishes vocabulary used throughout the course.

Lesson 3 • Primary and Secondary Energy Sources

Distinguishes fossil fuels, renewables, and secondary carriers such as electricity and heat. Provides context for comparing energy supply options.

Lesson 4 • Energy Flow and System Boundaries

Defines open, closed, and isolated systems and how to draw control volumes. Correct boundary selection determines what energy flows are counted.

Lesson 1 • Second Law and Entropy

Explains irreversibility, entropy generation, and the limits of energy conversion. Provides the theoretical basis for identifying avoidable losses.

Lesson 2 • First Law: Energy Conservation

Derives the energy balance equation for closed and open systems. Connects conservation principles to practical heat and work accounting.

Lesson 3 • Heat Transfer Modes and Rates

Reviews conduction, convection, and radiation and their governing equations. Heat transfer rates directly affect energy loss calculations in equipment audits.

Lesson 4 • Psychrometrics and Moist Air

Covers humidity ratio, enthalpy of moist air, and psychrometric chart reading. Essential for HVAC and drying process energy calculations.

Lesson 1 • Building an Energy Inventory

Catalogs all energy-consuming equipment with rated and measured loads. The inventory feeds directly into the energy balance and audit reports.

Lesson 2 • Data Logging and Interval Data

Covers logger setup, sampling intervals, and data retrieval protocols. Interval data reveals load profiles and demand peaks invisible in monthly totals.

Lesson 3 • Data Quality and Validation

Applies range checks, trend analysis, and cross-validation to flag erroneous readings. Clean data prevents misleading conclusions in energy models.

Lesson 4 • Utility Bill Analysis

Extracts consumption, demand, and cost data from utility invoices. Establishes historical baselines before on-site measurement begins.

Lesson 1 • Audit Report Writing

Structures findings, recommendations, and financial summaries for diverse audiences. A well-written report drives management decisions and project approvals.

Lesson 2 • Audit Types and Scope Definition

Distinguishes walkthrough, general, and investment-grade audits by depth and cost. Scope definition aligns client expectations with deliverable quality.

Lesson 3 • On-Site Inspection Techniques

Guides systematic walkthrough procedures, measurement protocols, and observation checklists. Structured inspection ensures no significant energy use is overlooked.

Lesson 4 • Pre-Audit Preparation

Covers document requests, site history review, and audit team planning. Thorough preparation reduces on-site time and improves finding quality.

Lesson 1 • Degree-Day and Weather Normalization

Uses heating and cooling degree-days to remove weather effects from consumption data. Normalized data enables fair year-to-year and site-to-site comparisons.

Lesson 2 • Regression-Based Energy Models

Applies simple and multiple linear regression to relate energy use to driving variables. Regression models provide fast, transparent baselines for M&V.

Lesson 3 • Process Energy Modeling

Models industrial and commercial process energy using mass and energy balances. Process models quantify savings from efficiency measures in non-building systems.

Lesson 4 • Whole-Building Simulation Tools

Introduces hourly simulation engines and their input requirements for building energy modeling. Simulation enables pre-retrofit prediction of complex interactive effects.

Lesson 1 • Lighting Efficiency Strategies

Covers lamp technology, controls, and daylighting integration for lighting energy reduction. Lighting often offers the fastest payback of any efficiency measure.

Lesson 2 • HVAC and Refrigeration Optimization

Analyzes chiller, boiler, air handler, and refrigeration system efficiency improvements. HVAC typically represents the largest share of building energy consumption.

Lesson 3 • Building Envelope Improvements

Assesses insulation, glazing, air sealing, and thermal bridging for heat loss reduction. Envelope upgrades reduce heating and cooling loads permanently.

Lesson 4 • Compressed Air and Steam Systems

Identifies losses in compressed air generation, distribution, and steam traps. These systems are among the most energy-intensive and leak-prone in industry.

Lesson 1 • Ongoing Monitoring and Reporting

Establishes continuous monitoring protocols and periodic savings reports. Ongoing monitoring detects performance degradation before savings are lost.

Lesson 2 • Baseline Establishment

Defines pre-retrofit baseline conditions, adjustments, and reporting periods. An accurate baseline is the reference against which all savings are measured.

Lesson 3 • Uncertainty and Statistical Confidence

Quantifies measurement and sampling uncertainty in savings estimates. Communicating uncertainty builds credibility with financiers and regulators.

Lesson 4 • Post-Installation Verification

Covers equipment commissioning checks, performance testing, and operational verification. Verification confirms that installed measures perform as specified.

Lesson 1 • Energy Investment and Financial Analysis

Applies payback, NPV, and IRR to rank and justify energy efficiency investments. Financial fluency enables analysts to compete for capital alongside other projects.

Lesson 2 • Energy Performance Indicators and Targets

Develops EnPIs, baselines, and improvement targets linked to organizational goals. Measurable targets drive accountability and resource allocation.

Lesson 3 • Organizational Change and Culture

Addresses behavior change, staff engagement, and energy awareness programs. Technical measures fail without organizational commitment and cultural alignment.

Lesson 4 • Regulatory Compliance and Reporting

Navigates mandatory energy reporting, auditing obligations, and carbon disclosure requirements. Compliance protects organizations from penalties and reputational risk.