Technical Reference Manual

The Conservation Improvement Program (CIP) Technical Reference Manual (TRM) consists of a set of standardized energy efficiency and conservation measure specifications for calculating and reporting energy savings and cost-effectiveness. Utilities may use these specifications directly in their CIP programs without prior approval by the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources (DER), or propose their own measure specifications, which are subject to DER review. The database will periodically be updated with new technologies or revised savings or cost estimates based on new research.

View deemed savings climate zones information.

Draft Measure Specifications for 2013-2014

In 2012, DER funded a comprehensive third-party review of the Minnesota Technical Reference Manual by Franklin Energy Services (FES) of Port Washington, WI. The final set of draft measure specifications and responses to comments from the utility advisory board were delivered in early 2013.

DER is in the process of completing an initial review and “triage” of the specifications. Based on the comments received and FES’s responses, we are placing each specification in one of two groups: those measures that we feel are sufficient for approval as is or with minor changes, and those that require further stakeholder discussion. These specifications are available below for public review and comment.

The deadline to submit comments is April 19. Please send all comments to Joe Plummer, TRM project manager. We appreciate your input.

DER will convene stakeholder meetings after April 19 once all comments have been received and reviewed.

Third and Final Set of Draft Measures

Set 3 of measures recommended for approval
- MN TRM Draft Rec Approval Set 3 (.xls)
Set 3 of measures recommended for further discussion
- MN TRM Draft Rec Further Analysis Set 3 (.xls)
Rationale for recommending approval or further discussion
- Measure Triage List (.xls)

Second Set of Draft Measures

Set 2 of measures recommended for approval (Updated 3.29.13)
- MN TRM Draft Rec Approval Set2 (.xls)
Set 2 of measures recommended for further discussion (Updated 3.29.13)
- MN TRM Draft Rec Further Analysis Set2 (.xls)
Rationale for recommending approval or further discussion (Updated 3.29.13)
- Measure Triage List (.xls)

First Set of Draft Measures

Set 1 of measures recommended for approval
- MN TRM Draft Rec Approval Set1 (.xls)
Set 1 of measures recommended for further discussion
- MN TRM Draft Rec Further Analysis Set1 (.xls)
Rationale for recommending approval or further discussion
- Measure Triage List (.xls)