Unlocking energy efficiency in office districts : a stakeholder-based approach

Abstract

Operational efficiency has remained elusive despite the potential for 10-20% savings from low and no cost measures in many office buildings. This is because office building energy performance is shaped by the actions of multiple stakeholders, including the owner, facility staff, occupant organizations and office workers. These stakeholders control different aspects of energy use and have different interests. But they all face social barriers such as information feedback, process assistance, and the need for social endorsement. Smart Energy Now@, a new advanced metering and community-based social marketing pilot in Charlotte NC, is one of the first programs to focus exclusively on operational efficiency in office buildings across an entire downtown. A preliminary evaluation reveals that the pilot has been successful in many of its activities, including gaining almost 100% owner participation, providing interval meter data and professional development for facility staff, and training more than 450 Energy Champions. Several other programs, including the Environmental Defense Fund's Climate Corps, the Building Owners and Managers Association's Kilowatt Crackdown, and the Chicago Green Office Challenge are also testing ways to deliver education, assistance and recognition tailored to building stakeholders. These programs reveal that stakeholder-based social interventions can directly result in energy saving behaviors and increase the likelihood of capital investment. However, efficiency potential varies depending on each building's technical characteristics and organizational structure. Therefore, many successful programs are using flexible frameworks that establish a process for participation, but allow stakeholders to select the efficiency activities that make sense for them. Implementing these programs requires working with new partners, such as organizational leaders, professional networks and civic organizations.