3 Pillars of C&I Energy Optimization

A1 Energy guides C&I building decision makers in the Mid-Atlantic Area on developing this comprehensive approach to their facility’s energy optimization, to become better, more effective energy managers. The team takes their extensive energy finance knowledge and develops a strategic and customized energy management approach, tailored to each facility’s needs. 

Since every facility has a unique set of circumstances, there is no template for energy optimization. What can be understood are the three significant areas every C&I building energy manager must carefully analyze in accordance to their facility’s unique set of circumstances. 

Our President, Lori Porreca, recently addressed this three-pronged approach to energy optimization in a white paper. The white paper which walks building managers through the areas necessary to understand within an educational framework, which once understood, can be applied to any C&I building energy optimization scenario. Here is a brief introduction to the three-pronged approach that every energy manager should consider. 

1. Energy Efficiency is one of the first areas building owners must analyze to understand how and where building energy improvements may lie. Getting a handle on audits, benchmarking, current energy profiles, and creating plans for efficient LED lighting retrofits, can help leverage those immediate energy opportunities. This is where many federal, state, and municipal programs, such as rebates for commercial and industrial buildings will be found. 

2.Strategic Energy Purchasing is vital in the process of energy optimization. Professional energy procurement services help C&I management teams identify their best strategies, lock down the best energy contracts with the most appropriate energy suppliers for their needs. Energy procurement requires a complete understanding of a facility’s energy demand through energy market monitoring, analyzing where energy peak load can be reduced, overseeing suppliers, contracts and knowing the best contracts to negotiate for the best results. Reducing energy bills via expert procurement can help shift funds toward future projects like Solar PV, the final step toward energy stabilization and optimization. 

3. On-site Energy Generation requires in-depth analysis and feasibility studies for on-site energy generation solutions that help with cost control and energy independence. Relying solely on external energy supplies is increasingly risky. Zero Capital and Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) models have now opened the floodgates for energy options such as Solar PV and Combined Heat & Power Systems (CHP) implementation without upfront capital costs for infrastructure installation.