Energy Treasure Hunting in Office Buildings: Searching for Hidden Efficiency Gems

Today we hear a lot about the importance of sustainability and energy efficiency, but not all of us know the "energy treasure hunting" as an innovative and strategic approach for identifying and taking the advantage on energy-saving opportunities in office buildings. This concept, based on the systematic exploration of energy use, tries to uncover "hidden treasures" or lets say opportunities to reduce energy consumption that are often overlooked. These opportunities can range from simple behavioral changes to complex system optimizations, all aimed at enhancing energy efficiency, reducing operational costs, and contributing to broader environmental goals.

What is Energy Treasure Hunting?

Energy treasure hunting refers to a proactive, hands-on process of searching for energy-saving opportunities within a building or facility. Unlike traditional energy audits, which often rely on sophisticated instrumentation and detailed analysis, treasure hunting emphasizes a practical, team-based approach that involves on-site inspections, brainstorming sessions, and the involvement of diverse stakeholders, including facility managers, energy experts, and building occupants.

The primary goal of energy treasure hunting is to identify low-cost or no-cost energy-saving opportunities. These are typically "quick wins" that can be implemented rapidly with minimal investment, yielding immediate reductions in energy consumption and costs. The treasure hunting process is iterative and ongoing, with regular hunts scheduled to continuously improve the building's energy performance.

Typical Methods and Approaches

Energy treasure hunting employs a variety of methods and approaches to uncover energy-saving opportunities. These typically include:

1- On-site Visit: Teams conduct a visual inspection of the facility, looking for signs of energy waste, such as lights left on in unoccupied rooms, inefficient HVAC operations, or outdated equipment. For instance, the group may check the number and types of lights and compare their consumption with the most recent LED technology in the market. Then, in a brainstorming session, they can review and calculate the return on investment plan for updating the lights and deliver it to the board for decision making.

2- Behavioral Assessments: Observing and evaluating the behaviors of building occupants can reveal opportunities to reduce energy consumption through simple changes, such as turning off lights and equipment when not in use or adjusting thermostats. For instance, did you know that on average each laptop consumes around 30 kWh a year in the standby mode operation? Now consider an office building with over 100 laptops that results in 300 to 500 EURs of saving, depending on the energy contracts.

3- Data Analysis: Reviewing energy consumption data from utility bills, sub-meters, and building management systems can help identify patterns and anomalies that suggest inefficiencies. Beside inefficiencies, the change in energy tariff from daily to weekly basis, or even dynamic tariffs may end-up with a significant change on the energy bills.

4- Brainstorming Sessions: Engaging the entire team in brainstorming sessions can generate creative solutions for improving energy efficiency. These sessions encourage participation from all team members, fostering diverse ideas and perspectives. Start by reviewing energy data, then collaboratively explore and evaluate ideas, grouping them into actionable categories. The goal is to identify feasible, cost-effective measures that can be implemented quickly. Something like increasing the temperature setpoint of HVAC system by 1 degree, from 18 to 19. It can also be changing the setpoint by 3 degrees during low office hours like weekends. By the end of the session, the team should have a clear plan for the next steps, promoting a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

5- Implementation of Best Practices: Applying industry best practices and standards, such as those from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), can lead to significant energy savings. According to the standard, the treasure hunting starts with the energy and safety trainings of the involved team.

Treasure Hunting for Demand-Side Flexibility

One of the most compelling benefits of energy treasure hunting is its potential to enhance demand-side flexibility. Demand-side flexibility refers to the ability of a building or facility to adjust its energy consumption patterns in response to external signals, such as electricity prices or grid demand. By identifying and implementing energy-saving measures, facility managers can reduce peak demand, shift energy use to off-peak hours, and even participate in demand response programs.

For example, during a treasure hunt, a team might discover that certain non-critical systems, such as water heaters or HVACs, can be turned off or cycled during peak demand periods without affecting occupant comfort or safety. By leveraging these findings, building operators can not only reduce energy costs but also contribute to grid stability and resilience.

Real-World Applications and Benefits

The concept of energy treasure hunting has been successfully applied in various settings, from small office buildings to large industrial facilities. The benefits of this approach are well-documented:

• Cost Savings: Treasure hunting can lead to substantial reductions in energy bills by identifying and addressing inefficiencies that would otherwise go unnoticed.
• Improved Energy Performance: Continuous treasure hunts ensure that a building's energy performance is consistently optimized, helping to achieve and maintain high energy efficiency standards.
• Engagement and Awareness: The collaborative nature of treasure hunting fosters greater awareness and engagement among building occupants and staff, creating a culture of sustainability.
• Environmental Impact: By reducing energy consumption, treasure hunting contributes to lower greenhouse gas emissions and supports global efforts to combat climate change.

How Builtrix Can Help Your Journey?

Builtrix's energy data collection platform enhances energy treasure hunts in office buildings by providing granular energy monitoring, which allows for immediate identification of inefficiencies. The platform supports accurate measurement and verification (M&V) by establishing energy consumption baselines, enabling detailed post-intervention analysis to verify savings. Additionally, its user-friendly interface, scalability, and integration with existing systems make it a powerful tool for continuous energy management and optimization, leading to significant cost savings and a more sustainable office environment. Subscribe and start using our basic package, that is free of charge and sufficient for your treasure hunting journey!

References

https://www.energystar.gov/industrial_plants/treasure_hunt

https://builtrix.tech