National Governor’s Association

Learning Lab on Public Facilities

June 2, 2014

Bridget Nielsen McLaughlin A Practical Approach to Public Buildings

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CEE’s Nonprofit Mission

The Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) is a

nonprofit organization that promotes energy efficiency to

strengthen the economy while improving the

environment

• We conduct research and develop programs so that:

• Businesses operate more efficiently and profitably;

• Government agencies and nonprofits spend less on facilities

and functions;

• Utilities achieve their energy-efficiency goals at least-cost; and

• Households save money and improve comfort.

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Who we are

Public Steward

Pragmatic Pioneer

Expert Implementer

Community Resource

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What we do

• Program Design and Delivery

• Lending Center

• Engineering Services

• Innovation Exchange

• Public Policy

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Engineering Services

• Energy Reduction

• Recommissioning

• Energy Efficient Operations

• Performance Monitoring

• Building Energy Performance

• Benchmarking

• Performance Certification

• Energy Star, LEED, Green Buildings

• New Construction

• Commissioning

• Design Assistance

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What is Recommissioning?

Recommissioning is a systematic process to

improve the operation of existing buildings

so they:

• Actually meet the owner’s needs

• Use only as much energy as is necessary

• Optimize existing building systems

• Focus on large savings at low cost

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Efficient: Prioritize actions

Energy Star five stages of opportunity

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Case Study:• Office building

• 525,000 ft2

• Cost: $185,960

• Savings: $143,000

• Payback: < 1.3 yr

• Building is now

Energy Star Certified

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Case Study: Hospital

• 600,000 ft2

• Cost: $208,000

• Savings: $180,800

• Payback: 1.2 yr

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Case Study: Middle School

• 230,000 ft2

• Cost: $422,000

• Savings: $141,250

• Payback: < 3.0 yr

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State PBEEEP Program “Public Buildings Enhanced Energy Efficiency Program” = PBEEEP

Standard Process

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State PBEEP Results

Bldgs Sq Feet Savings Payback

MN State Colleges & Universities 617 19,483,996 $ 760,842 2.4

Department of Administration 22 5,387,308 $ 346,400 5.2

Department of Corrections 212 4,405,484 $ 256,781 6.1

Minnesota State Academies 18 437,079 $ 14,284 2.6

Veterans Affairs 6 276,288 $ 63,176 4.6

Department of Natural Resources 9 226,762 $ 1,033 7.2

Military Affairs 2 194,851 $ 22,681 7.5

Human Services 14 669,505 $ - 0.0

Department of Transportation 2 185,000 $ 10,449 5.5

Perpich Center for Arts Education 3 157,575 $ 21,731 2.9

905 31,423,848 $ 1,497,376 4.4Total

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• 37 different utility companies

• 3 offer study rebates

• 27 of 71 sites had one utility for electric and gas

• Means 2/3 have two utility companies

• All sites realized both electrical and gas savings

• Coordination of programs is uncommon

PBEEEP Worked Across Multiple Utility Service Territories

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Summary of Most Commonly Identified

Energy Savings Measures

Note that an affected area of 412% means there were 4.1 measures per building, on average

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Best Practices and Lessons Learned Without a quality assurance process, we would not have known….

• Qualified providers who understand the specialty of

recommissioning are essential to identify all the

potential savings

• A good customer relationship will increase the rate of

implementation

• Programs should address all energy sources at a site

• Careful selection of buildings is necessary for a cost-

effective program; some buildings have minimal

savings opportunities.

Bridget McLaughlin

Client & Government Affairs

612.244.2418