Upcoming Improvements to Portfolio Manager

These updates to the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager are planned for June 7, 2010. If you have any questions about these changes, please contact buildings@energystar.gov.

1. New Rating for Data Center
A rating will now be available for Data Centers. Spaces that are currently defined as Computer Data Center will be automatically converted to the new Data Center space type. In order to compute the new rating, there are two new required inputs: IT energy configuration; and IT energy meters (IT energy loads will be tracked similar to building energy meters). When the updates are released on June 7, 2010, estimates will be used for the IT energy load until it is updated with actual values by the user. The use of estimates will be permitted for the first two years of implementation (until June 2012) to allow users to get proper IT energy metering in place. After that time, IT energy metering will be required. In order to earn a rating, a Data Center space using estimates for IT energy cannot be more than 10% of the building’s floor area, per the current requirement. When actual data is entered more accurate ratings can be obtained and there is no size restriction. Note: Data Centers achieving a rating of 75 or higher will be eligible to apply for the ENERGY STAR label.

2. Updated Rating Methodology for Office and Retail
EPA has made minor adjustments to the energy performance methodologies used for Office and Retail facilities. The purpose of these adjustments is to ensure accurate ratings for very large buildings, and for buildings with extremely high densities of computers and/or cash registers. In the cases of these extreme values, net adjustments in the rating equation are limited, to reflect expected behavior as observed in the CBECS survey. When the updates are released on June 7, 2010, the values previously entered by users for Office and Retail attributes will not change. However, the energy performance ratings may change.

3. Updated Space Attributes for Water Treatment and Distribution Utilities, and Wastewater Treatment Plants
You will now be able to track the average flow on a monthly basis for Water Treatment and Distribution Utilities, and Wastewater Treatment Plants. When the updates are released on June 7, 2010, the most current existing average flow entries will be valid through December 2010; however you are encouraged to begin updating the flow meter values as soon as possible, in accordance with this new functionality.

4. Removal of Distribution Center from "Other" Space
Spaces that are currently defined as "Other - Distribution Center" will be automatically converted to the "Unrefrigerated Warehouse" space type. This change is consistent with the definition for the updated Warehouse model released in August 2009, which includes Distribution Centers. Please note that as a result of this update, Distribution Centers previously ineligible for an energy performance rating may be able to see a rating using the Warehouse model after June 7, 2010.

5. New Standard View - "Performance: Water/Wastewater Treatment Facilities"
A new standard view will be available on the "My Portfolio" and "Facility Summary" pages. The "Performance: Water/Wastewater Treatment Facilities" view will contain the following metrics:
- Facility Name
- Current Rating
- Average Flow (MGD)
- Current Weather-Normalized Source Energy per Flow (kBtu/gpd)
- National Average Source EUI (kBtu/gpd)
- Current Site Electric Use (kWh)
- Annual Energy Cost ($)
- Current Total GHG Emissions (MtCO2e)

6. New Standard View - "Performance: Data Centers"
A new standard view will be available on the "My Portfolio" and "Facility Summary" pages. The "Performance: Data Centers" view will contain the following metrics:
- Facility Name
- Current Rating
- Current Energy Period End Date
- Current Data Center PUE
- Current Source IT Energy (kBtu)
- Current Total Source Energy (kBtu)
- Current Source Energy Intensity (kBtu/sq. ft.)

7. New Display of Default Space Attribute ValuesIf default values are being used for specific space attributes, you will now be able to view the rounded default attribute value in Portfolio Manager. Note: Facilities cannot earn the ENERGY STAR label when default values are used.

8. New Source Energy MetricsTwo new source energy metrics will be available for you to view.
- Current Total Source Energy Use (kBtu)
- Baseline Total Source Energy Use (kBtu)

9. New and Revised Building Import Templates
Effective May 31, 2010, new and revised building import templates will be available for downloading and previous versions of the templates will no longer be accepted. New import spreadsheets sent to buildings@energystar.gov the week of May 31, 2010 will be processed after the June 7th release.The following template changes will be made:
- New template for Data Center
- Updated templates to add the new Data Center IT Energy tab, including: Bank; Courthouse;
- Dormitory; Hospital; Hotel; Medical; Office; Other; Refrigerated Warehouse; Retail; School; Supermarket; Unrefrigerated Warehouse; Worship
- Removal of the Distribution Center category from the Other template
- Updated Wastewater template to include a new Influent Flow tab
- Updated Water Treatment template to add a new Average Flow tab

10. Updates to Parking Space Adjustment
Effective June 7, 2010, a minor defect will be corrected in the calculation of ratings for buildings that contain "Open" parking area. Buildings that contain "open" parking square footage will be affected and may see a small change in their rating.