Best Practice Guide

Commercial Office Buildings

Planning an Energy Program

Energy Teams

After adopting an energy policy, the next step is to bring together the knowledge needed to develop and execute the energy action plan.

Consider goals and objectives. when deciding whom among staff to include. For example, if air quality concerns are high among the priorities, then recruit staff familiar with the existing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Inclusive teams that recruit representatives from a wide cross section of company units might come up with especially innovative and unexpected ideas and be particularly well suited for establishing a broad base of support for the energy program. Smaller, more focused teams, on the other hand, might minimize staff resources or be easier to coordinate, saving time and money.

5200 W. Century. Arden Realty and next>edge.View Details.

External partners are another source of expertise and capabilities. Local utilities, for example, offer a range of services and programs that are often free of charge or tied to rebates. Similarly, third-parties, like architecture and engineering firms, building contractors, and owner's representatives, might be able to provide specialized services that in-house staff do not have the time or capacity to perform. Some even offer performance guarantees that limit financial risk. Energy services companies (ESCOs) bundle services, equipment purchases, and financing into a single package, which might pay for building strategies that would otherwise be cost prohibitive. Facility staff working with external partners tend to pick up new technologies and techniques, further developing the skills of in-house staff.

Leverage the expertise of individual team members to make the most effective use of time and money. It may make sense to involve several employees in the initial stages of planning, for example, since they have intimate knowledge of problem areas and opportunities. Later on, reduce the number of team members to only those who work directly installing, maintaining, or operating building equipment systems. Likewise, an energy consultant can be a valuable resource to help identify problems and recommend solutions, but in-house staff may be better suited and less expensive to implement plan options.

Business Examples

In 1998, five years before the concept of an energy crisis was part of the national consciousness, Arden Realty, Southern California's largest office landlord, recognized that energy was an operational cost that historically went unchecked. In response, Arden convened a "swat" team of its best and brightest managers and engineers to create a comprehensive energy strategy for the entire portfolio. The resulting initiative, encompassing the design and implementation of energy efficiency technologies as well as a new level of operational standards, reduced 9 megawatts of power demand from the portfolio, enough energy to power over 6,700 homes. The team responsible for these tremendous results was ultimately formed into a wholly owned subsidiary called next>edge that now operates as an independent provider of energy efficiency solutions for commercial facilities while continuing to maintain the Arden portfolio as an industry leader in energy efficient technologies and practices.

As a construction company that specializes in green building, Swinerton Incorporated's green team includes over 35 LEED Accredited Professionals. Another 200+ employees have passed a green training course and are able to provide practical, cost-effective solutions across company activities. Employees from upper management to project teams are committed to the principles of green building and energy efficiency.

Glenborough Realty Trust's energy program pulls together an Energy Team made up of three important subgroups:

  1. Internal Energy Team - Energy Director and Regional Engineering Managers
  2. "Partners" Energy Team - U.S. EPA's ENERGY STAR, Constellation Energy Source, UTC/Carrier Corporation, Light Source, Inc., Servidyne Systems, Inc., and Flex Your Power
  3. Corporate Energy Team - COO/Executive VP, Regional Vice Presidents, CFO, Investor Relations and Internal Legal Counsel


Resources

California Energy Commission, Summary of Energy Services Companies Summary of Responses. January 2005. Includes partial list of ESCOs operating in California.

BPG Appendix 2: Guidelines for Contracting Energy-related Services (PDF download, 120 KB)