Deemed Savings Engine

In many states, deemed savings calculations and technical requirements for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs have been consolidated into state-specific Technical Reference Manuals (TRMs). TRMs guide utilities, trade allies, and program participants through the technical requirements and calculations to implement and quantify impacts of energy conservation measures. Although TRMs enforce consistency, they are complex to use and require constant updates. To address those challenges, Frontier Energy designed and built the Deemed Savings Engine (DSE), a software solution that lets utilities centrally maintain and implement deemed savings while enforcing installation requirements. The DSE eliminates the need to modify multiple tracking systems as the TRM evolves. It offers automated calculations and data validations in accordance with the TRM and seamlessly integrates with program tracking systems. Central management of calculations and validations promotes consistency and accuracy across utility programs and minimizes the administrative burden of annual updates. Frontier Energy successfully deployed the DSE in Texas, Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Illinois, and Minnesota to implement each respective state’s TRM and approved deemed savings for subscribing utilities’ programs. The DSE is seamlessly integrated with more than a dozen program tracking systems to provide calculations and installation standard validations for over 30 unique programs. The utilities that use the DSE report a dramatic decrease in administrative maintenance time and occurrences of calculation inconsistencies.

Frontier Energy:

• Designed and built the DSE as a software solution.
• Embedded calculations for Texas, Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Illinois, and Minnesota TRMs and approved deemed savings.
• Integrated the DSE with more than a dozen program tracking tools.
• Updates the DSE as each TRM or approved deemed savings changes.
• Provides technical support to all users.
• Incorporated the DSE into our own program management solution, Program Portfolio Portal (P3).