B O N N E V I L L E P O W E R A D M I N I S T R A T I O N Energy Awareness Does NOT Save Energy Don Rainey Energy Management TAG 328 Nov. 4, 2011

B O N N E V I L L E P O W E R A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

Energy AwarenessDoes NOT Save Energy

Don Rainey

Energy Management TAG 328

Nov. 4, 2011


BEHAVIOR CHANGE (BC)Saves Energy© Conservation Catalysts

The Most Cost Effective ECM Available

And It’s Virtually Ignored


What is BC? People tend to do things the same way day after

day. Even if they waste “stuff” and money. In a building, O&M staff sustain the use of

operational sequences and products that came with the building many years ago.

Most buildings are constructed using old techniques and products.

Occupants behave in ways that waste “stuff”. BC endeavors to replace obsolete behaviors

and focuses on reducing Life Cycle Costs.


This was NOT planned

A medical center spent around $50K on Behavioral Change

They were also upgrading their power plant so it was difficult to determine savings

What we do know is that 3 years later their annual utility costs had dropped another $115K and were still going down (hospital consumption normally creeps up)

Behavioral Change ROI was < 5 months.

Does Behavioral Change Save Energy?


Most Cost Effective ECM?This One Was Planned

A medical center had upgraded their HVAC system to reduce utility bills and resolve reliability problems. Their ROI was about 8 years.

After installing the new HVAC equipment and stabilizing optimized operation, they spent about $35K on consulting and saved another 13% and $416,000 annually AND more staff initiated improvements were in planning.

Behavioral Change ROI was about 30 days.


Behavioral Scientist are Just Now Figuring BC Out in this Context.

Department of Defense (DoD) was preaching Energy Awareness in 2010.

DoD is preaching Behavioral Change in 2011. We’ve seen BC work remarkably well and are

identifying a reliable pattern to make BC work again.

It’s been a hard sell with the DoD but the ice is cracking. The FEDS want big utility savings this year and Behavioral Change is the only option.


How Do We Change Behaviors? Develop Clear Measurable Goals Identify Champions – 20-25% welcome

change Give Permission to Change Overcome Inertia – One Step at a Time Allow people to find their own Motivation Do NOT Underestimate People’s Abilities Continue to beat the drum and publish

progress


Change on 4 Fronts

O&M Staff Purchasing Occupants New Construction & Renovation – this is

probably covered in other BPA efforts.


O&M Staff Short Training Modules have been

developed. Lead O&M staff to change specific

behaviors and give them permission to implement more improvements. Some of them will become very PROACTIVE.

Focus on reducing the number of Work Orders and Energy Consumption.

As they gain confidence and become more proactive, savings will increase.


O&M Staff at Work


Purchasing Practices Transition from lowest cost to lowest Life Cycle

Cost purchasing. This can range from air filters and lamps to chillers.

Service Providers can be directed and coached into lowest LCC repairs and upgrades.

Vendors can be directed, coached and compensated for offering the most cost effective products.

Software Tools are available for making better purchasing decisions.

Best practices must be regularly updated.


Are you purchasing 20 year old stuff?


Purchasing Tips Transition from lowest cost to lowest Life Cycle

Cost purchasing. This can range from air filters and lamps to chillers.

Service Providers can be directed and coached into lowest LCC repairs and upgrades.

Vendors can be directed, coached and compensated for offering the most cost effective products.

Software Tools are available for making better purchasing decisions.


Occupants Financial rewards are not very effective Regular publications with TIPs and feedback

potential may work well Recognition is necessary Contests with coaching and PR are productive People like to do what their neighbors do Create a sense of community Feeling Good is the best reward


Primary Change Components

Start with Champions Have Clear and Achievable Goals - One

Step at a Time Give Permission - The TEAM will Choose

Their Paths Keep supporting them but don’t take over Make sure they Feel Good About

Themselves


Have a Theme

Energy Hog


Challenges for Utilities Predicting Savings and Persistence How to Deliver to Larger Facilities

– Need Specifically Trained and Talented Facilitators

– CERTIFICATION may be the specification– Train Service Providers, Vendors, O&M Staff– Support Documents & Templates (some are available)

– Coaching This Low Hanging Fruit could otherwise be

bundled with conventional ECMs.


How do we Scale Up for broad use? Step 1a – Train and Coach Trainers Step 1b – Train & Certify Facilitators – Provide

O&M training, PR and purchasing tools Step 2 - Coach Facilitators during their first

project and have them support each other Step 3 - Establish an ongoing support system for

facilitators Step 4 – Start the process over again with

refined techniques


Non-Energy Advantages are Enormous! BC encourages lowest LCC decisions Better HVAC decisions reduce maintenance Paying $2.50 for a lamp instead of $2 can triple

lamp life and reduce energy consumption Better purchasing decisions can include

products that do not use energy. One healthcare system enjoys a 5% net profit

rather than the 3% average because they have completely embraced the use of more cost effective behaviors.


Persistence of Savings

Traditionally, equipment is installed to save energy but staff are not effectively trained or motivated to sustain or optimize savings. Half of the VFDs in hospitals are running at full speed 24/7.

BC focuses on identifying/creating and implementing the latest best practices so savings will increase over the years.


Behavioral Change IS the

Most Cost Effective ECM

I have Ever Implemented(in 30 years)