Making the Leap: Data and Lessons Learned from Scaling Up Retrocommissioning Programs

Panel: Commercial Buildings: Program Design, Implementation, and Evaluation

Authors:
Emily Moore, Portland Energy Conservation, Inc.
Eliot Crowe, Portland Energy Conservation, Inc.
Allison Robbins, Portland Energy Conservation, Inc.
Becky Walker, Portland Energy Conservation, Inc.

Abstract

Retrocommissioning, or commissioning of existing buildings, has become a central strategy in California for reducing energy use and improving building performance. At the state level, this is demonstrated by recent legislation such as Executive Order S-20-04 that led to a mandate to retrocommission all state owned and operated buildings greater than 50,000 square feet. In addition, to meet the state's 2006-2008 energy efficiency goals, California's investorowned utilities have supported retrocommissioning incentive programs at unprecedented levels.

Currently, Portland Energy Conservation, Inc. (PECI) is implementing retrocommissioning programs for Pacific Gas & Electric Company, Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric, and Sacramento Municipal Utility District which cumulatively will retrocommission nearly 60 million square feet of commercial building space in the state, which will total approximately 200 buildings. Together, the programs are projected to reduce annual energy use by 65 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) and 600,000 therms, and reduce peak demand by as much as 9,100 kilowatts by the end of 2008.

These programs will produce the largest number of retrocommissioning projects implemented under a common framework. Program results of this scale will help answer industry questions about the viability of retrocommissioning as a reliable and high quality energy-efficiency resource. This paper will describe the challenges of implementing retrocommissioning on a broad scale and operating in a relatively immature market. It will also share the available results, including statistics about participant buildings, typical measures identified and systems affected through retrocommissioning, and average savings and costs associated with measures. Then, through a summary of key lessons learned, the paper will explore implications for the design of future retrocommissioning programs.