Waxman-Markey, cap and trade, smart-grid infrastructure, real-time pricing, demand response, on-site energy storage — never has there been a more fascinating — or challenging — time to pursue the field of energy or facility management, as we are experiencing the convergence of three long-gestating trends that will forever change the way we purchase, manage, and consume energy. Energy-price volatility peaked during the summer of 2008, and as expected, consumption behavior started to change. Environmental awareness (i.e., global warming) hit its tipping point around 2006/2007, evolving from a social to a legislative issue that no longer could be ignored or deferred. Lastly, energy efficiency emerged as one of the most dynamic segments of the energy industry, driven primarily by the goal of keeping rising energy costs in check.

Early signs of this convergence during the early 2000s led to highly progressive regulatory and legislative initiatives in California, which introduced a multitude of programs to manage per-capita energy consumption. According to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Californians use 40-percent less energy than the average American, while California's first-in-the-nation statewide green-building codes are further reducing the state's carbon footprint.

Not to be outdone, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced in April a major legislative package focused on creating a green-buildings plan for the City of New York. This initiative is the world's most comprehensive package of legislation to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions from existing government, commercial, and residential buildings. Once implemented, it will reduce energy costs by some $750 million a year while reducing citywide emissions by 5 percent, the equivalent of eliminating all carbon emissions from Oakland, Calif.

Clearly, a new era of energy efficiency is upon us. How, then, can we best prepare for the coming changes? One thing is certain: We do not have to look far for examples. This article discusses how energy-efficient technologies are being applied successfully in commercial and industrial facilities across the United States, reducing per-capita energy consumption.

DELIVERING ECONOMIC VALUE THROUGH ENERGY-EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGIES

Options for improving whole-building energy performance include, but certainly are not limited to, those in the following projects. In each case, energy consumption and, subsequently, carbon footprint and energy costs were reduced. Each project has been justified through life-cycle-cost analysis, and most have highly attractive paybacks.

Facility energy audit

With heating and cooling a significant budgetary expense, Waunankee Community School District in Waunankee, Wis., was looking to lower energy costs and improve long-term HVAC-system reliability.

Arboretum Elementary School, one of six schools in Waunankee Community School District.

Photo courtesy of Comfort Systems USA

A national HVAC company performed a thorough audit of the district's facilities to gain a baseline understanding of energy consumption and load profiles. Its solution included optimizing heating and cooling schedules, changing temperature set points, installing carbon-dioxide (CO₂) monitors, installing lighting occupancy sensors, and retrofitting lighting to achieve greater efficiencies.

The retrofit project achieved an 18-percent reduction in electricity consumption and a 24-percent reduction in heating-fuel consumption. To ensure the perpetuation of those savings, the school district's facility managers and the HVAC company's engineering team continuously monitor and verify energy consumption.