DEMAND SIDE ENERGY MANAGEMENT

Energy Audits
If you are trying to reach out to get that "low hanging fruit" that everyone talks about, but don't know where to start, performing an energy audit is the first step in assessing where and how you are using energy. Small, Medium, and Large retailers can all benefit from an energy audit in one form or another; they can identify what can be done to reduce your usage and improve your load profile, especially if your facilities are in utility service areas that have heavy demand charges.

 

When it comes to energy audits, there are several ways to go:

  • In many utility service areas, the utility company will make someone available to audit your facility, and in many cases, the audit is free. Utilizing these services is subject to the scheduling availability of the utility company personnel.

  • For larger retailers and Mall developers, engaging an Energy Services Company (ESCO) to perform the audit is another option. There are several companies that provide complete services from initial audits through to investment grade audits (IGAs) all the way through to full project turnkey completion.

    IGAs are required by most ESCOs to provide the foundation for savings that they will guarantee to you. Most ESCOs can also make funding available for the project, with the payments to be made through the guaranteed savings. Please note that there are additional costs for these services.

  • Consulting services are available from a number of resources that will provide energy audits and recommendations, but without guaranteed savings. As with using consulting services in any area, it is best to use a service that is independent of vendor associations, and is capable of making recommendations for you based on your needs.

  • Oftentimes the fastest way to get to that "low hanging fruit" is to have someone inside the organization perform the audit. This needs to be someone who knows the facilities well, and has an understanding of the available options in building equipment and lighting.

Another good resource for energy audit information can be found at Energy Star. 

 

 

Helpful Links

For larger scale investment grade audits:
For smaller scale consultant level audits:

 

 

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