Market Transformation the Right Way: Innovative Programs Deliver Buildings that Work

Nancy Benner and Diana Bjornskov, Portland Energy Conservation Inc.
Tracy Narel, US Environmental Protection Agency

Keywords

Abstract

A key concern for future global economic growth is the construction of environmentally sustainable commercial buildings that promote productivity. In the U.S., utilities have operated energy efficiency programs aimed at installing energy conservation measures (ECMs) for over ten years. Problems with the reliability and persistence of energy savings from those efforts, coupled wuh competitive pressures in energy markets, are causing utilities to develop more thorough, marketable approaches for their customers.

Buildings that operate reliably, and ensure sustainable energy efficiency performance, result from a quality assurance process that begins at the building or system design phase, and continues through the life of a building. This paper relates results ofz Studies performed in cooperation with government agencies and national conferences on building commissioning (quality assurance processes) that examine both baseline and best practices to achieve buildings that work Characteristics of building performance and operation in a changing environment:

products and services that are attractive to customers Experience of five utilities in designing, implementing and revising programs that include~commissioning and building operation, and how these programs have been affected by the shift to a competitive marketplace
A five-stage Federal 250-building energy systems tune-up program that offers comprehensive upgrades, preventive maintenance and staff training for sustained improvements in comfort and indoor environmental quality .
Opportunities exist for utilities to guide this process, whether they are promoting DSM in a regulated market or selling energy services in a competitive market atmosphere.