LA-80-08-3 -- Energy Computer Program Certification-Pros and Cons

The requirement for certifying energy computer programs is creating problems in the energy and energy management field. One State law now requires certification, others appear to be ready to follow and now the Federal Government appears to be entering the field. There is no question that all energy programs are not alike, nor will one program ever do all things for all people. Then why should one program be certified and another not? What makes one better than another? What is the basis for certification? The authors examine these questions and relate their experiences in certifying the program EP-II in California. It is recognized that energy programs must be evaluated for technical content, but more importantly their limitations should be known and they should be rated against a known bench mark, not one against another. A tentative certification or rating plan is presented that could satisfy both the requirement for certification and yet allow the user the flexibility of using less sophistication when appropriate.