The job of energy management is not easy, but there are more resources available today than ever before. The key is finding them. Many resources are as close as your computer and the Internet. You can use an Internet browser and a search engine-my current favorite is Google-but that usually takes too much valuable time from more important activities.

Portals and gateways are entryways to the Internet, which can save a lot of search time. Portals and gateways make it easy to find specific interest information. For example, for the latest information on lighting products, use the portal www.lighting.com.

Most professional associations have Web sites that provide information on technical books, certification, seminars, and links to manufacturers. For instance information can be found at the following sites:

• www.ashrae.org (HVAC)
• www.aeecenter.org (energy management)
• www.nalmco.org (lighting management company)
• www.naesco.com (local ESCO)
• www.buildingteam.com/ codes/index.html (building code information)

The best portal for energy managers is www.energyvortex.com-a venture supported by Energy User News and the Association of Energy Engineers. The Energy Vortex web site includes energy news, a dictionary, a good events calendar, products, books, job openings, industry links, on-line journals, and a great "ask the experts" section. The site is continuously updated to provide the latest energy news and upcoming conferences.

Government Resources

The federal energy management program (FEMP) is an excellent source of information for everyone, and since tax funds were used to prepare the web site, the information is usually free. For a list of resources, including software tools, guides to energy-efficient products, a calendar of meetings, conferences, and workshops, regulations, state energy program grants, and much more, go to: www.eere.energy.gov/femp/resources.html. Most of the software can be downloaded, including an updated version of WATERGY 3.0, a spreadsheet model that uses water and energy relationship assumptions to analyze the potential of water and associated energy savings.

Building Technology

Preparing a list of useful energy management computer programs would take hours to compile and keep current. The Office of Building Technology already does much of this work. Just visit: www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/tools_directory.

There are over 260 energy-related software tools for buildings, with an emphasis on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainability. Each program is reviewed at this site to provide a description, expertise required, the number of users, the intended audience, input, output, computer platform, programming language, strengths, weaknesses, availability, cost (if any), and a personal contact with address and e-mail.

On-Line Training

On-line distance learning can be a good way to overcome time barriers to further training. There are synchronous (live) and asynchronous courses available, instructor- led and self-paced courses. The best place to find energy management courses is the Association of Energy Engineers web site at www.aeecenter.org. The University of Wisconsin has good engineering professional development courses available on-line. For a catalog, go to epdwww.engr.wisc.edu/.

Internet Control

Many energy control companies now provide control for their building automation systems (BAS) over the Internet. Some claim that this approach will eventually revolutionize the way that enterprises control their facilities.

These services not only include control, but the information required for any manager or facilities staff person to make decisions. As the time approaches when critical decisions need to be made in real time, especially in energy buying opportunities or in configuring facility spaces and energy-using equipment, these systems will become more valuable.

Web services will provide building owners the opportunity to share information over an existing information technology (IT) infrastructure already in place. Some new tools are on the horizon that will make it easier to share information between systems. This interaction is not usually planned when systems are developed, but web-based services can be a common platform to aid the integration of these services.

An association, comprised of a consortium of companies that is working to develop standards to be used in their products, is the WS-I (Web Services Interoperability) organization.

Summary

Energy managers can get help for their tasks by taking advantage of the Internet and computer resources discussed in this introduction.

Test your understanding

1. The best way to find useful energy management computer programs is to:

A. Use an Internet browser and a search engine

B. Go to the Office of Building Technology website

C. Send e-mail to a computer "guru"

2. Portals and gateways are:

A. off ramps from the Internet

B. e-mail mail boxes

C. entry ways to locate specific interest information

3. Information from the FEMP web site:

A. can be used by anyone

B. is only for Federal energy managers

C. only relates to military installations

4. Building automation web-based services should be provided using a common protocol.

True False

Answers

1. B. Go to the Office of Building Technology website 2. C. entry ways to locate specific interest information 3. A. can be used by anyone 4. True