Taking the Ego out of Efficiency: Success Using Advanced Buildings in a Commercial and Industrial New Construction Program in Wisconsin

Abby Vogen, Kevin Grabner, Tate Walker, and Lee DeBaillie, Energy Center of Wisconsin
David Ciepluch and Judy Mathewson, We Energies

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Abstract

Faced with performance mandates set by regulators, the instinct of a program administrator is to assert itself as a dominant player in a market, and use existing market resources as subordinate allies to be leveraged in the quest of meeting goals. While an administrator may be able to dominate in retrofit energy efficiency projects, energy efficiency is a minor one or two percent consideration within most new construction projects. This paper reviews a utility ratepayer funded new construction program that is taking an approach 180 degrees from the market dominating norm to achieve a primary focus on market needs that will then lead to cost effectively reaching energy efficiency and peak load reduction goals.

This paper reviews the basic tenets of the program theory: use nationally-accepted, existing standards and materials as the focus of a local program; diminish attention on the utility sponsor, and focus on the market paramount to the needs of the utility. The result? “Taking the ego out of efficiency” by underplaying the role of the utility program sponsor results in strong participation, cost effective efficiency and high customer satisfaction.

Additionally, this paper asserts that by emphasizing collaboration with existing market players and materials, it will lower the cost per transaction while easing entry and exit from the market. The acceptance of this approach in the market will be documented through examination of case studies and market reaction. Actual energy saving, peak load reductions and the associated costs will provide a basis to analyze the success of this approach and the significant lessons as this program continues its efforts.