Building Lasting Partnerships: Program Strategies that Enamor Decision-Makers & Enable Savings in the Commercial Real Estate Office Sector

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

Authors:
Jason Erwin, Consortium for Energy Efficiency
Kimberlie Lenihan, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
Jack Davis, Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
Jean Bardeaux, Xcel Energy

Abstract

Complex management, decision-making structures, and diverse leasing arrangements create a difficult environment for local and regional energy efficiency program administrators trying to engage commercial real estate (CRE) office owners. While challenges remain, several programs are using sector-specific strategies to overcome split financial incentives and other traditional challenges to promoting energy efficiency in the CRE office sector.

This paper will identify and examine several common CRE office program strategies from three leading U.S. energy efficiency program administrators: The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA); The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA); and Xcel Energy (Minnesota). These strategies include: 1) identify forums and partnering opportunities to secure longer-term customer commitment to program; 2) benchmark whole-building energy performance with the U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager; 3) establish a multi-step, streamlined screening process to find appropriate building candidates; 4) re-assess whole-building energy performance and promote continuous improvement.

Beyond program strategies, this paper will report initial energy savings and other results, program lessons learned and future plans for program direction and evolution.