The energy modeling industry is always changing, with anything from updates to energy modeling software to new regulations and protocols.

If you think about it, the value in energy-modeling is the ability to predict the future (in terms of energy cost). So, we thought, why don't we take it one up, and predict the future of the industry for 2012.

LEED continues to be the golden goose

LEED is an amazing thing. It's become a sort of self perpetuating revenue generator. USGBC has done an amazing job marketing building efficiency to the general population.

Now building owners are aware of this "LEED" thing that makes their buildings more appealing to tenants (appealing = higher lease rates). And all that is great for energy modelers since to get a building LEED certified you virtually require an energy model.

The new version of LEED adopts ASHRAE 90.1-2010

But hey! Didn't they just make us learn 90.1-2007?

eQUEST will continue to dominate

But after 2012, all bets are off... 

ASHRAE will start to challenge USGBC with their own rating system

The market share of "Green Certification" will start to see progression towards ASHRAE programs like BEQ. However, unless ASHRAE learns how to market better, this will not be very substantial in 2012, but noticeable.

Solar, solar, solar!

Solar prices continue to fall. If the US and China can avert a full blown solar trade war they will continue to do so. We predict solar will continue to grow as a part of energy efficient building due to these lower costs. So better learn how to model those panels!

Underfloor systems and Displacement ventilation systems become more popular.

Given that ASHRAE 90.1-2010 recognizes the energy savings these systems can supply (because of the increased ventilation effectiveness), these systems will be implemented in more designs (better learn how to model it).

LEED's percent annual growth will slow...

Well, it simply can't keep up at the way that it has grown, unless we populate the moon, and mars.

No New energy solutions = Greater value in Energy-models

Is 2012 the year that someone invents cold fusion? Is the electric car the solution? Will acoustic coolers be commerically manufactured? We don't think so. As the demand for energy outpaces the evolution of high efficiency technology, energy models will be even more important than they were in 2011.