Who
is Stellar Processes?
|
Who
is Stellar Processes?
|
Stellar Processes is a company of consulting engineers specializing in energy economics, measurement and verification. Our expertise includes monitoring and commissioning large facilities as well as diagnostic evaluation of small buildings.
One of our products is a Billing Simulation tool for commercial buildings. It provides a low-cost, quick scoping method to diagnose problems, break consumption into end uses, predict savings and present commissioning targets for post-retrofit.
Stellar Processes, Inc.
1033 SW Yamhill Suite 405
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 827-8336
www.ezsim.com
Heat Pump Monitoring
We recently completed a datalogger study of residential heat pumps. These were generally state-of-the-art, high-performance units but performance in the field was usually less than their full potential. The reason is various sorts of installation errors and problems that are usually correctable.
The Billing Simulation Tool provides a simplified engineering simulation of energy consumption in a building. It is designed to permit easy "tuning" to match the customer's billing history. Then one can change the engineering parameters to model the impact of energy conservation measures, changes in operation, etc.
On-line Sales
EZ Sim is available for immediate electronic download from our on-line store. The download includes three installation files -- the EZ Sim template, the user manual and the tutorial.
Prices are $199 for the basic version (two fuels -- electricity and other fuel, such as natural gas) or $299 for the expanded version (multiple fuels including purchased steam or chilled water). Upgrades are half-price for registered users -- your email address is your registration code.
You will also want at least one weather file. These include both long-term average and recent (last three years or so) local weather. You can choose from a wide variety of US cities. Files will be updated frequently based on when the national weather data are posted. Currently files cover up to 2005. Prices are $25 each for one-time download.
Users can also easily build their own weather files; only simple weather data are required. The process is described in the manual.
Custom Options
If you need a written invoice or to set up a purchase order, please contact us with your request. Let us know what program and weather file you want to order.
Would you like to receive your files on CD-ROM? We will provide upon request for an additional $25 shipping and handling.
Would you like a customized version with your logo or for specific purposes? That can also be arranged. Contact us with your request.
Seminars
EZ Sim is distributed as part of our training seminars. For $350 you get a one-day training seminar, software and manual.
No classes are currently being scheduled. When available, we offer classes through the Northwest Energy Education Institute. Click here.
Participants will be able to receive continuing education credit!
Client
Support
We want your project to be a success!
We will respond quickly to questions and requests by email. However, given the press of other duties, we cannot guarantee an immediate response. Here are our suggestions:
(1) Read the manual! Practice the tutorial!
I know, it sounds too simple-- but it's hard to get started without the basics.
(2) Read the Installation FAQ.
We cover the common first-time questions.
(3) Send us an email .
We welcome hearing from users and will do our best to answer any questions. If you suggest a new feature that we decide to implement, you get a free update! We believe the program is bug-free, but if something doesn't perform as intended, we will fix it.
(1) Back to School Savings: Comparing Energy Accounting Tools. What are the pros and cons of energy accounting software compared to EZ Sim? We have a new article posted. The accounting tools are a database application -- they emphasize aggregating different meters and sites together with some simple weather normalization. But they can't deal with changes to the facility or the operation. That's where a simulation model like EZ Sim is useful. Now we can modify the baseline, perform "what if" analysis of conservation options, set performance targets and verify the results.
(2) Supermarket Refrigeration: The Tale of Two Refrigerators. Refrigeration accounts for a large energy use in supermarkets -- one that is difficult to distinguish from lighting or plug loads. That's why we added the inventory of cooler cases to the model. This article discusses the major types of refer systems, fixed pressure or floating head, and how to distinguish between them.
(3) Expanded library!
We are trying to make the library more useful for users. Our latest addition is a table describing a number of example modeling files. Various kinds of building, measures, etc. You can download these files and add them into your EZ Sim. These files may be useful as examples or as the starting point if you are trying to model a similar building. To go there now, click here.
(4) New verification study.
What if you had to verify savings but, due to computer glitches, were unable to download site data?
EZ Sim to the rescue. Using the pre/post monthly bills, we were able to verify the savings. To read about the case, click here.
We recently completed a project using EZ Sim to verify savings consistent with the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP). This protocol is expected by many government and international agencies. In general, the verification process is commonsense engineering. But one change is that IPMVP specifies stating the accuracy and precision of engineering estimates. EZ Sim handles this task easily. See our M&V FAQ. The paper is on-line at Paper 4. By the way, our earlier paper on commissioning is also on-line at Paper 3. We presented using EZ Sim in a commissioning context at last year's National Commissioning Conference. Some examples of using the model to estimate and verify savings or to diagnose opportunities for retrofit commissioning.
(5) New weather files! NOAA seems to have fixed their computer problems, so we expect to be able to keep weather files current to within the last couple of months. Right now, weather files run through June, 2001.
(6) The on-line store!
EZ Sim is now available nationwide. In order to do this, we have added services.
FREE tutorial. Obviously, we can't offer the training seminars everywhere. Our goal is to provide similar training to that included in our seminars. We encourage users to download the tutorial and practice. The tutorial includes lots of real-world examples.
Registered Professional Engineer, M.S. Applied Economics, Portland State University, B.A. Chemistry, Oberlin College.
Fourteen years experience in energy management, assessment and verification, including:
Send us an email!
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