The Weidt Group operates one of the longest running and most-successful design intervention demand-side management (DSM) programs to improve dramatically, efficiency in commercial new construction (CNC). Our core programs, in four utility territories, consistently show an average of thirty percent savings above code baselines and have been recognized in two of ACEEE’s Best Practices Reports. Our advanced DSM consulting projects show consistently higher savings. We currently have 60 projects that are at least 60% better than code. From conceptual design through final field verification, it has been our responsibility for almost 20 years to provide unbiased evaluations of technologies, products and building designs for actions by design teams, owners and utilities.
Approximately 25% of our Energy Design Assistance simulation modeling is for additions and renovation to and for existing buildings. We apply the same technical capabilities to additions and renovation as for new construction with the addition of informing the initial simulation model with current field conditions. Statistically identical savings are achieved with major renovations and additions as with conventional commercial new construction. The results of our simulation guidance to design teams have been field validated for nearly two decades.
To increase our accuracy and effectiveness, The Weidt Group created several utility program-focused software tools to develop, review and present energy efficiency results. For the project level, The Weidt Group uses EnergyBuilder℠ as a front and back end to several energy modeling simulation engines. For the program level, we created EPMS℠, the Energy Project Management System, used to track, forecast and maintain data on projected energy efficiency savings. All energy projects are managed through EPMS℠, which in addition to energy data includes project design team information and reports.
EPMS currently contains data on approximately 1200 completed and verified projects across most building types. This data, including expected performance and initial ECM data is part of our standard QA and accountability system. EnergyBuilder℠ helps us manage standards for program consistency, quality assurance and to support timeliness, while providing a stable platform to accept ever-changing technologies.
+ In DepthEnergy Modeling and Parametric Analyses
We conduct parametric, sensitivity studies of building envelope systems, windows, lighting systems, control systems, HVAC systems and other materials and behaviors to enable cross-system tradeoffs for cost effective energy efficiency. We typically provide a quantitative comparative analysis of 60 to 120 ECMs per project using DOE-2. The Weidt Group’s proprietary front and back end, EnergyBuilder℠ allows this level of programmatic modeling. We provide price-sensitive energy optimization by combining our energy savings calculations with differential cost provided by the design team.
Getting the underlying thermal energy transfer and energy conversion and energy loss mechanisms right is fundamental to getting design teams and owners to act on energy efficiency. Getting it right on 120 concurrent runs requires advanced technology and experience. Our software and experience has evolved over the past two decades to enable both a library of over 200 ECMs as well as the ability to parametrically modify ECMs or support custom ECMs for the design innovations and combinations we encounter in many of our projects.
Neither DOE-2 nor EnergyPlus has the capability of natively simulating all system types and building scenarios. To accommodate gaps in simulation engine support, we have developed augmenting processes and codified them in our software. These augmenting processes employ custom functions, pre-, mid-, and post-processing algorithms and calculations. Examples include:
Xcel Energy provides design fee reimbursements to offset the design time costs associated with participating in the process, as well as owner incentives to help offset the cost of the energy-efficiency improvements.
Program Description
For additional information on the Energy Design Assistance Program, download the Xcel Energy brochure:
Business New Construction Brochure- Minnesota
Business New Construction Technical Brochure for Design Teams- Minnesota
Business New Construction Brochure- Colorado
To Apply
Xcel Energy EDA Application - Minnesota: Apply Online
Xcel Energy EDA Application - Colorado: Apply Online
Xcel Energy EDA Application - Colorado (PDF)
Program Eligibility
Download the EDA Program Requirements for Minnesota
To Apply
Otter Tail Power Company EDA Application: Apply Online
MidAmerican provides design fee reimbursements to offset the design time costs associated with participating in the process, as well as owner incentives to help offset the cost of the energy-efficiency improvements.
To Apply
Download the application form for the MidAmerican Energy CNC Program.
To Apply
Download the screening form for the Alliant Energy/IPL CNC Program.
Program Service Territory
The Weidt Group provides Energy Design Assistance for the Black Hills Energy CNC program in Colorado and Iowa. A map of counties served by Black Hills Energy in Colorado can be found here. Counties in Iowa served by Black Hills Energy—gas service only—can be seen here. To search by zip code, visit the Black Hills Energy website.
Project Qualification
To see if your project may qualify for the CNC Program, please download and submit an application form:
Colorado Black Hills Energy Commercial New Construction Application Form- Electric
Colorado Black Hills Energy Commercial New Construction Application Form- Gas
Iowa Black Hills Energy Commercial New Construction Application Form- Gas