In-depth Feasibility Studies

After the preliminary cost-benefits are established in the Preliminary Energy Assessment, the facility's management may authorize an In-depth Feasibility Study of one or more energy efficiency measures (EEMs) in order to fine tune the preliminary economic results obtained in the Preliminary Energy Assessment(PEA).

Through a systematic feasibility study process we are able to identify opportunities and methods for minimizing energy costs while maximizing facility effectiveness.

The general purposes of a feasibility study are to analyze currently installed systems and to present replacement or upgrade alternatives that meet regulations and operational requirements and that meet current needs while planning to accommodate future requirements. The goal is to discover ways a customer can save on energy costs and help determine the most efficient and economical options that meet the client's needs. There are some cases where the In-depth Feasibility Study is not necessary, and engineers can proceed directly to the Design-Build Criteria.

By analyzing the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system (or other substantial systems), a feasibility study can explore different cooling and heating concepts and help determine the best options. For example, a feasibility study may consider such things as:

• Electric subsystems compared to gas or other fossil fuel alternatives

• Package units compared to a central plant

• Retrofitting or upgrading old electric units compared to installing new electric units

• Retrofitting or upgrading old electric units compared to installing new gas units

A feasibility study explores the risks and benefits associated with each option, estimated costs of implementing the options including annual operating and maintenance costs (indicating the potential savings of one system over another), and simple payback calculations for the new equipment or system.

A feasibility study also recommends a course of action for the client to take and justifies the proposed hardware, hardware configuration, and operating strategy.

An In-depth Feasibility Study is very much like a PEA, except it includes a more in-depth financial analysis and includes "owning and operating costs" (also known as "life-cycle cost analysis") of each central plant option and summarizes the results. This report includes present value and uniform annual cost calculations.

This analysis takes into account maintenance costs and the estimated increase in energy costs over the life of the equipment. Also, a feasibility study includes more detailed pricing quotes for all of the major and ancillary parts required to accomplish the project (including the number of valves, "T's," elbows, etc.)