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ES2 is eager to help Oklahoma’s agencies and
institutions build on the many successes that were seen across the state in
2015. Last year, we witnessed almost half of the state’s colleges and
universities commit to a soft launch to kick-off the new school year. Multiple
state agencies started internal competitions or found other ways to integrate
the program into existing endeavors. We would like to highlight some of the
news that we are excited about as we begin the next era of 20x2020:
 Flight Galleries
The Department of Career and Technology Education wanted to encourage the use of stairs rather than the elevator in their building so they drew on a bit of behavioral science insight: Making stairs more appealing by adding artwork or other decorations increases the likelihood that they will be used. Student art was posted in multiple flights across their complex and their energy manager has already seen more people taking the stairs. This is a fun, inexpensive way to include multiple departments in reducing energy and slightly altering daily habits. It is for this reason that Northwestern Oklahoma State University is also working with their Student Art Society to place energy-themed art in every stairwell. DEQ used posters and fun facts during their stairs challenge.
New Energy Managers
We would like to officially welcome the new energy managers that will be joining the 20x2020 effort this year.
Oklahoma City Community College has added Trey Lewis as their new energy manager. Trey has worked on the Committee for Sustaining Oklahoma's Energy Resources and earned his M.A. in Global Environmental Policy from American University. He will be responsible for managing OCCC’s Energy Conservation Working Group as they focus on occupant, operational and organizational energy behavior.
The Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority’s 20x2020 program will be led by Kyle Sykes as we head into 2016. Kyle earned his B.S. in Applied Sociology from OSU and now works as OMPA’s energy services technician where he focuses on administering their Demand Energy Efficiency Program (DEEP) and assists with the rebate/ceiling insulation program. As a smaller agency, OMPA assigned the energy manager role to Kyle as an existing employee. OMPA believes that the 20x2020 program fits with the messaging they promote to municipalities as part of their energy efficiency programs and, with connections to both, Kyle is poised to make quite an impact.
The Army National Guard has named Gaspar Bonet as energy manager for their program. Gaspar spent many years as the principal engineer supervisor for the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority. In addition to his military service, he has given presentations on energy and the economy and has served on the board of the Electric Engineers Institute in Puerto Rico. He is currently developing a communications tree in order to streamline assigning tasks across their multiple locations around the state and is working to establish an advisory council.
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The February energy manager
webinar is titled, “Understanding ENERGY STAR Ratings and Benefits.”
Since the first building was
granted ENERGY STAR certification in 1999, tens of thousands of others have
earned their certification as well. Certified buildings use less energy and are
less expensive to operate. Beyond compliance with SB1096, ENERGY STAR
certification can also provide building owners with many useful analysis tools
and opportunities for positive recognition.
February’s webinar will
feature special guest presenter Leslie Cook, the public sector program manager
for ENERGY STAR’s Commercial Buildings Program. Ms. Cook will discuss the
benefits of certification, the process for applying for certification and how
ENERGY STAR ratings are calculated.
This session will help
prepare energy managers to begin the process as well as educate organizational
leaders or public relations staff about how to gain recognition for their
facilities.
Organizations that have
issued a purchase order to ES2 in order to enroll in the behavioral program are
invited to register for this month’s energy manager webinar. Please register at
least one hour in advance of the webinar.
Logistics:
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20x2020 Upcoming Dates
Please mark your calendar:
February
- Feb. 18 | 2-3 p.m. | ES2 Energy Manager Webinar
- Feb. 29 | Q4 Project Exemptions Due
March
- March 10 | 2-3 p.m. | ES2 Behavioral Program Webinar: PSO
- March 17 | 2-3 p.m. | ES2 Behavioral Program Webinar: OG&E
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Did you know that utility company incentive programs are
assessed and redesigned every three years? 2016 marks the beginning of a new
3-year program cycle, so it’s important for each organization’s energy
management staff to learn about the new incentive opportunities and parameters.
This webinar will discuss the new utility incentives that
will be provided by PSO for the next three years. A PSO representative will
introduce the incentives available for commercial buildings in PSO’s territory,
what has changed from the old program, and how to apply for an incentive.
Organizations that have
issued a purchase order to ES2 in order to enroll in the behavioral program are
invited to register for this month's energy manager webinar. Please register at
least one hour in advance of the webinar.
Logistics:
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OG&E has just launched their redesigned energy
efficiency incentive program. This webinar will discuss the new utility
incentives that will be provided by OG&E for the next three years. An
OG&E representative from the School and Government Efficiency division will
introduce the incentives available for commercial buildings in OG&E’s
territory, what has changed from the old program and how you may be able to
multiply your incentive dollars under their new program.
Organizations that have issued a purchase order to ES2 in order to
enroll in the behavioral program are invited to register for this month's
energy manager webinar. Please register at least one hour in advance of the
webinar.
Logistics:
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Project exemptions are due Feb. 29, 2016, for billing period quarter four of CY 2015. Organizations must submit exemptions on any specific projects that have resulted in energy savings that they would like to remove from ES2’s fee calculations. Any project completed between Oct. 1, 2014, and Dec. 31, 2015, must be submitted by Feb. 29, 2016, to be considered for an exemption.
For a complete submission, please submit each request through the online form and email IPMVP-adherent supporting documentation to 20x2020@omes.ok.gov. Further information is available in the online instructions.
If you have any questions about this process, please email 20x2020@omes.ok.gov.
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It’s easy to think about your daytime
operations, but what is your building doing when you are away? Most buildings
are unoccupied for a majority of the time: between 5,000-6,200 hours a year. If
you are not adjusting your equipment operations at the end of the day, you may
be throwing away hundreds or thousands of dollars. Performing an after-hours
walkthrough of your building is an easy and inexpensive way to expose the
causes behind lost energy, money and occupant comfort. Just be sure to bring a
flashlight and a few small tools in case you find something small to fix.
Areas to observe include:
- Mechanical rooms – Look for equipment that is
running when it shouldn’t be. This may signal that a control has been manually
overridden. Incorrect temperatures may signal compressor or even outside air
issues.
- Excessive air movement – Exhaust fans,
building envelope leaks and incorrect programming may all contribute to air
movement that goes unnoticed during the workday when people are focused on the
task at hand. With a quiet building, you may be able to hear whether excess
equipment is operating.
- Look at plug loads,
areas that are well lit and doors that have been left open. These may all be
indicators of energy waste.
If you have any questions or ideas on tips to
share, please contact Morgan Miller of ES2 at mmiller@es2ok.com or 405-528-4500.
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Questions?
Email 20x2020@omes.ok.gov.
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