Managed by UT-Battelle for the Department of Energy Weatherization Assistant: Ramp Up Support Mark Ternes Mike Gettings Oak Ridge National Laboratory 2009 National Weatherization Training Conference July 21, 2009

2Managed by UT-Battelle for the Department of Energy Objectives  Improve communications regarding the Weatherization Assistant  Ensure that the training needs for the Weatherization Assistant are met over the next several years  Expand the Weatherization Assistant’s information management capabilities to assist states and local agencies  Reduce the time and complexity associated with developing priority lists using the Weatherization Assistant  Perform technical enhancements to the Weatherization Assistant needed to support ramp up activities

3Managed by UT-Battelle for the Department of Energy Communications  Weatherization Assistant newsletter –Updates –Training –Common errors –Programming tips  Input from states on training and information management needs – s –Phone calls –Conference call  How would you like to be kept informed?

4Managed by UT-Battelle for the Department of Energy Training  Established training will be continued –National, regional, and state training conferences –3-day trainings on the basics of using the Weatherization Assistant and the NEAT and MHEA audits as requested by states  Web-based training –Individual training alternative to group training and/or prerequisite to group training –Basic course equivalent to 3-day group training –Work orders –Other advanced features in the Weatherization Assistant

5Managed by UT-Battelle for the Department of Energy Training (continued)  Centralized Group Training –Scheduled trainings at regionally dispersed cities (e.g., Atlanta, St. Louis, Denver) as alternative to state trainings –3-day basic training, but possibly other subjects  Webinar Trainings –Short trainings of 1-3 hours on a specific subject –Examples: reports, data transfer, use of the survey feature, measure costs  Any specific training topics or approaches?  Is there a need for train-the-trainer?

6Managed by UT-Battelle for the Department of Energy Information Management  Facilitate centralized data storage at the state and for agencies not using a server to improve data analysis and reporting –Client-server design  Enhancement to current software  Optional transfer of information over the internet –Web application  New user interface  Must be connected to the internet  Easier to ensure that all agencies in a state using the same version  Easier to assist in setting up the Setup Library and ensuring consistency in the Setup Libraries

7Managed by UT-Battelle for the Department of Energy Information Management (continued)  Weatherization Assistant enhancements –Additional reports –New form to easily identify measures installed, actual costs, and funding sources used –Basic information needed for program evaluation  Expanded technical assistance –Customized reports –To states interested in integrating the Weatherization Assistant into their state information management system  What information management needs would you like to see addressed in the near future?

8Managed by UT-Battelle for the Department of Energy Priority Lists  Write a manual on how to develop priority lists using the Weatherization Assistant  Idea of automating the Weatherization Assistant to help develop priority lists was tabled  Would a priority list manual be useful to you?

9Managed by UT-Battelle for the Department of Energy Technical Enhancements  Continue making enhancements to NEAT and MHEA requested by users  Incorporate new technologies into NEAT and MHEA  Develop a multifamily audit  Any other technical enhancements needed to support your ramp up activities?  Would a simplified user interface be useful?

10Managed by UT-Battelle for the Department of Energy So....  Are there any other ways ORNL can assist you to meet your needs concerning the Weatherization Assistant during the ramp up period?  If not already discussed, what time frames/schedules are we talking about?