Analytic Tools
The energy industry constantly confronts the challenge of establishing realistic, achievable demand side management (DSM) goals and meeting those goals in a resourceful, cost-effective manner. To help our utility clients overcome this hurdle, we have developed a suite of customized analytic tools, built on commercially-available software such as MS Excel, to facilitate all stages of DSM life cycle, from potential assessment and integrated resource planning to program design, implementation, and evaluation.
Having experienced first-hand the issues and challenges facing professionals in the utility industry, we have designed these tools to make elegant, comprehensive solutions possible throughout DSM planning and analysis. Not only do we provide our clients with the tools they need, we provide training on how to use them.
To prepare for and inform program design, we use End Use Forecaster to systematically assess conservation potentials. We use Resource Portfolio Strategist to examine the variables that affect portfolio costs, as well as to analyze risk and uncertainty. Once accurate potential estimates are produced and the implications of alternate portfolios have been explored, clients may use DSM Portfolio Pro, our DSM cost-effectiveness model, to optimize their portfolios.
We also offer tools that aid program implementation and evaluation. Our Energy Efficiency Information System (EEIS) is a state-of-the-art DSM program tracking system that uses a Web interface to help project administrators implement program and report their results. Our Scientific Irrigation Scheduling (SIS) Calculator helps clients determine water and energy savings potentials of irrigation efficiency through the application of scientific irrigation techniques on a wide variety of crops.
To avoid the common pitfalls of program evaluation, we offer Data Capture Tool and DSM Auditor. Our Data Capture Tool facilitates data collection, organization, and analysis by employing a Web-based platform to assist users in creating survey instruments, entering data, and summarizing results. By automating these processes, the Data Capture Tool prevents the errors that occur with traditional, manual data entry and summarization. For more robust, accurate audits, we use DSM Auditor, an Excel-based tool for residential and small business customers to facilitate onsite input of customer characteristic information.