Cyclone Energy used IESVE as a commissioning tool throughout the design/construction progress

September 10, 2013 - IES today announced its Virtual Environment (VE) software suite is the core performance analysis tool being used by Cyclone Energy Group to help Walgreens create the first ever net-zero retail store. Set to open in November 2013 the store located just outside Chicago in Evanston, Ill is on track to earn not only net-zero cerification, but also LEED Platinum, Living Building and Green Chill Platinum certifications. Walgreens estimates the store will use 200,000 kilowatt hours per year of electricity while generating 220,000 kilowatt hours per year.

Speaking on the challenges of the project, Benjamin Skelton, P.E., President and CEO of the Cyclone Energy Group (CEG) said, "We knew going in that net-zero would not be easy to achieve. Chicago is not a typical net-zero climate as it offers relatively few annual hours where outside conditions allow for natural ventilation and free conditioning, and the climate is not a high return-on-investment for renewable energy."

Cyclone Energy Group is using IESVE as it's core performance analysis tool to help meet all the project goals and overcome the challenges.

"IESVE is being used as a commissioning tool throughout the design/construction progress to validate and inform the team about the anticipated performance of the building," says Skelton. "Not typical to the construction industry, the commissioning team is incorporating energy modeling as a tool to validate the design of the project from pre-design through construction and ultimately in operation."

"We use IESVE almost exclusively for energy modeling projects because of the ease of use in creating multi-zone models with complicated geometry and HVAC systems. On this project, the software allowed us to study advanced daylighting control strategies, automated shades, complicated HVAC systems and unique control sequences, all within one software package. At Cyclone Energy Group, we have modeled over 60 projects using IESVE in the past year, and we've found with LEED projects we often get very few, if any, LEED review comments, which saves us valuable time."

The project is set to achieve all of it's goals on completion, however those within the green building industry know well that achieving energy efficiency doesn't end with project completion: Instead, it's an ongoing battle. Cyclone Energy Group plan to oversee the start-up of all systems and work to calibrate systems to match energy model performance characteristics. The store will be monitored throughout the year after opening to see if it is running at net zero.

To view the full case study visit http://www.iesve.com/software/showcase/3496/Cyclone+Energy+Group%3A+Walgreens

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