Current Policies and Practices Related to the Incorporation of Non-energy Benefits in Energy Saving Performance Contract Projects

摘要

This paper analyzes current policies and practices related to the incorporation of nonenergyrnmeasures (NEMs) and their benefits to energy saving performance contract (ESPC)rnprojects implemented by the U.S. energy service company (ESCO) industry. Previous researchrnby our team has found that projects in the public and institutional sector are increasingly usingrnESPCs to address various non-energy-related needs (e.g., roof replacement). Unfortunately, therernis no consistent guidance on methodologies for incorporating non-energy benefits (NEBs) intornthe cost/benefit analyses of projects. This paper presents the results of an in-depth review ofrnstate-by-state and federal legislation of the incorporation of non-energy benefits, includingrnmeasures and benefits allowed and restrictions that apply.rnCase studies indicate that the value of NEBs can be as much as 40% or more of the totalrneconomic savings generated by an ESPC project. However, there is significant variation acrossrnregions and levels of government, with regard to how many and which types of non-energyrnmeasures are allowed in ESPC project contracts. There appears to be little or no correlationrnbetween the level of government infrastructure need, which can be extensive, and the number ofrnnon-energy measures allowed by the jurisdiction. The authors recommend standardized,rnsimplified, and transparent methodologies for estimating and verifying the savings generated byrnthe various non-energy measures—in a manner that is analogous to the original development ofrnthe International Performance Monitoring and Verification Protocol (IPMVP).