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BluePrint: Energy and environmental assessment tool

A BluePrint for success: As part of the Government funded Knowledge Transfer Partnership, Carbon Descent has worked with London South Bank University to develop BluePrint, software to carry out energy and environmental assessments of non-domestic buildings.

Conventional energy and environmental audits are repetitive and time consuming. They consist of:

  • A walk round survey to collect building data on paper
  • Data entry and analysis in a spreadsheet
  • Typing up a advisory report in a word processing package

Carbon Descent's BluePrint software has been designed to automate and streamline the energy and environmental assessment process with estimated savings of up to 50% of the assessor's time on data collection, analysis and reporting, against a conventional paper based auditing approach.

Using the software on a handheld ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC) assists assessors when collecting on-site data about building fabric, energy usage, water consumption and waste production. The software can be configured to manage different types of assessment, from the simpler mini-audit where quick wins are identified, to complete surveys analysing the buildings equipment and services.

The paper recording stage is eliminated and the assessor can analyse the survey data by using inbuilt calculation models either on-site or back at the office. A reporting facility enables the assessor to make recommendations and tailor these results for the customer.

The tool will allow you to:

  • Register organisations/sites for survey and projects encompassing a number of assessments
  • Schedule and set up surveys, defining the type of assessment, the resources and data profiles to be included
  • Set up the layout of the site, floor areas and annual hours in use
  • Input pre-survey data prior to visiting the site
  • Collect and record data on-site, including photographs, using a suitable hand held device
  • Collect any missing data once back in the office
  • Determine the appropriate measures, enter parameters for these measures and calculate the energy savings, costs and additional outputs predetermined by the client
  • Merge results from the analysis into preformatted reports
  • Potentially review and report on savings across assessments for one or all projects

Main features are:

  • Rationalised data entry: Consistent format and accuracy
  • User configurable: Variety of assessments types with different data profiles, calculation processes and recommended measures.
  • Choice of environmental factors: Encompassing energy usage, water consumption and waste production
  • Versatile: Flexible user interface and adaptable report templates
  • Up to date reference data: Emissions factors and costs of measures regularly updated

Additional features planned:

  • Results and recommendations formatted for inclusion within or form the basis of the Building Log Book or to provide information for Display Energy Certificates and Advisory Reports
  • A range of different preformatted management information reports for single or multiple projects with a comprehensive overview of savings
  • Links to other relevant systems or tools