6/5/2023
Group 1: Creating a Streamlined BEM Process
Working Group 1 had a great start in 2023 with the January webinar which covered a new project funding proposal idea: “3rd Party Energy Code Verification: Market Characterization” spearheaded by Sally Blair of NORESCO. Since the January webinar, this project idea has transformed into a proposal that was submitted to the CalBEM Steering Committee and was approved. The Committee is currently identifying the right funding pathway for this project.
In mid-May, the group also led a productive Spring Meeting, which covered project updates and a thought-provoking presentation by Co-Chair Neal Kruis on machine readable rulesets. If you have missed recent meetings, slides can be found in the CalBEM Collaborative Efforts SharePoint here.*
The Prototype Unification Technical Advisory Group led by Bryan Boyce (Energy Solutions) continues to meet, advancing its goal to develop a single set of prototypes for use by all California state agencies and other public research/policy purposes. Recently they completed a building stock assessment for low and high rise multifamily buildings, and will move to all building types soon.
The “PRM Case Studies by Practitioners” project discussed by the group last year, led by Greg Collins and Panos Bakos, was approved by the Committee in October 2022 and plans to kick-off this summer.
The group plans to hold a summer meeting in July or August. For further updates, sign up for the WG1 mailing list.
Group 2: Developing BEM Education and Resources
Following discussions at the November 2022 CalBEM Symposium, the group 2 Co-Chairs led a January webinar to discuss “Do we need another BEM forum?” Representatives from prominent BEM forums presented a brief background and goals of their forum, which included Onebuilding, CABEC Share Source, the (now closed) EnergyPro Yahoo Group, Q&Ace, and Unmet Hours. The group voted unanimously that yes, existing forums can meet the needs of energy modelers, and attendees were invited to the BEM Forum sub-group. This sub-group met in March to identify specific ways that forums could be more widely used to assist modelers. The sub-group identified that the primary issue is lack of awareness of existing forums. To address this need, the sub-group created the “CalBEM Modeling Help and Education Guide”, which was published on the CalBEM website in late May. The Co-Chairs also plan to reach out to key modelers in the industry and encourage them to engage with key BEM forums, such as Unmet Hours.
Working Group 2 also led an engaging Spring Meeting in mid-may which included an update on existing project proposals and a brainstorming session for new project ideas. One update included SEI’s proposal for a “BEM Community of Practice” this project has been approved by the Steering Committee and is currently under consideration for funding. If you have missed recent meetings, slides can be found in the CalBEM Collaborative Efforts SharePoint here.*
The group plans to hold a summer meeting in July or August. For further updates, sign up for the WG2 mailing list.
Group 3: Advancing BEM Capabilities and Metrics
Working Group 3 has kicked off 2023 by pushing forward project ideas developed at the November 2022 symposium. The January webinar included discussions on an ACM clean-up recommendations project, and a GitHub Feedback Forum on CBECC software. Following the webinar, the Co-Chairs identified that TRC is interested in taking on the ACM clean-up project; TRC plans to submit a project proposal to the Steering Committee.
At the Group 3 Spring Meeting in late May, the Co-Chairs held an important update from the CEC Software team on their current modeling priorities. The Co-Chairs also gauged interest in Group 3 participants providing feedback to CASE measures that involve modeling updates. Most attendees were interested, so the Co-Chairs will further develop activity on this front.
If you have missed recent meetings, slides can be found in the CalBEM Collaborative Efforts SharePoint here.*
The group plans to hold a summer meeting in July or August. For further updates, sign up for the WG3 mailing list.
* Working Group members can email info@calbem.org to gain access.