Questions to Ask for Successful Energy Planning
Here's how to evaluate the effectiveness of your future energy efficiency plans.
Consider this list of questions when thinking about how to plan for future efficiency efforts.
- What is the “best practice” standard today when it comes to energy performance? What will they be in a year, two, and even three years from now? Is it achieving net-zero energy use?
- How will you deploy technology to meet efficiency goals? Will you be using machine learning to enable HVAC systems to self-correct for optimal performance? How will the Building Internet of Things (B-IoT) with its myriad sensors feeding data into analytic platforms be leveraged to advance energy performance?
- How much will the states and cities that are home to our buildings continue taking the lead in demanding greater efficiency from buildings within their jurisdictions? Should you aspire to carbon-neutral buildings now? Will initiatives like energy benchmarking and local laws that have far surpassed federal legislation in emphasis and vigor continue?
- To what extent will utilities continue to evolve into more diversified energy businesses intent on greater collaboration with their customer base, far removed from the old ratepayer relationship model?
- To what extent will actions to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change grow in the public consciousness and gain additional traction?
Jerry Burin (jerry.burin@aecom.com) is a director in the energy practice of AECOM, a global engineering and architectural firm headquartered in Los Angeles. Located in the Chicago office, Burin leads a team of engineers and consultants focusing on HVAC system optimization and strategic energy services.
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