Gilbert, Arizona – Pivotal Energy Solutions, LLC, an innovator in residential energy efficiency software, proudly announces the launch of a graphical user interface (GUI) for its APEX energy rating software platform.

Pivotal’s APEX platform is a cloud-based energy rating software solution built on the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) open-source EnergyPlus simulation engine and National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL) OpenStudio-ERI calculation platform. In June 2024, a version of APEX supporting HPXML (Home Performance eXtensible Markup Language) text file input, was accredited by RESNET, the nation’s largest ENERGY STAR® Home Certification Organization (HCO). The new intuitive, web-based graphical user interface for APEX significantly expands the market for Pivotal by offering functionality directly targeting energy raters and modelers.

“With our GUI offering, APEX will be the only web-based, RESNET-accredited energy rating software built on the DOE's open-source EnergyPlus engine and NREL's OS-ERI software platform,” said Steven Klass, co-founder of Pivotal Energy Solutions. “Leveraging DOE’s and NREL’s technology allows us to focus on delivering enhanced web-enabled functionality and user experience, setting us apart from competitors. Coupled with our AXIS platform, we provide the most powerful and configurable solutions in the industry for energy raters, modelers, and utility program administrators."

The new GUI enables energy modelers to:

• Efficiently capture structural and mechanical home properties
• Simulate home performance against integrated standard reference homes or a custom user-defined reference home (UDRH)
• Utilize real-time data validations during model entry, ensuring accuracy and efficiency
• Access built-in industry-standard and custom library elements to simplify model creation
• Share simulation results via API integration or directly to Pivotal’s AXIS platform

The energy rating index (ERI) calculated by APEX can be used for a variety of purposes, including performance-based energy code compliance, utility incentive program submission, national energy efficiency program certification, and 45L tax credit eligibility.

Expanding the Pivotal Product Ecosystem
The APEX platform joins Pivotal’s flagship product, AXIS, a robust web-based platform for energy efficiency program delivery and data sharing. AXIS enables energy raters, verifiers, and inspectors to seamlessly submit and manage data for homes participating in industry leading energy efficiency and “green” certification programs. To date, over 191,000 homes and buildings have been certified using the AXIS platform. Both AXIS and APEX are powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS), the world’s leading cloud-computing service provider, ensuring scalable, secure, and reliable performance.

Bob Burns, Pivotal co-founder, added, “With the climate challenges we face today, we’re committed to delivering software solutions that advance the residential energy efficiency industry. Our technology is designed to enable operational efficiencies and drive meaningful progress toward a more sustainable future.”

Availability
APEX is now available for beta testing. The APEX GUI and calculation engine are currently pending accreditation by RESNET.

About Pivotal Energy Solutions
Founded in 2011 and headquartered in the Phoenix, Arizona metro area, Pivotal Energy Solutions is a self-funded software-as-a-service (SaaS) company dedicated to advancing the residential energy efficiency industry. The company develops innovative, cloud-based platforms to support energy modeling, compliance, program delivery, and data sharing. Contact Pivotal for more information about AXIS and APEX.