Business owners and facility managers understand there are energy issues but are also sometimes hesitant to embrace onsite clean energy technologies because they perceive the switch as a risk. Jen understands the hesitation, as making the move requires a lot of consideration. That is why he and other experts make sure interested parties understand the value of the technical assessments made, including a breakdown of potential energy savings and other long-term cost benefits. They look to present all the information and technical expertise from a neutral perspective, then respond to any question they can field.
“Our community thrives when we collaborate, says Steph Hallinan, associate director for U.S. Market Transformation and Development at the U.S. Green Building Council. “Finding the right solution for a project is time consuming. A program like this expedites and enhances our collective work to realize progress. USGBC remains a key advocate for the Department of Energy’s building solutions like the Onsite Energy Program.
Hallinan says stakeholders have been reaching out to the USGBC to find out more about the Onsite Energy Program and if or how they can implement it into their operation.
“The main point I communicate is this program is the bridge between the facilities team and the funding opportunities and sources to support implementation of their projects,” says Hallinan. “A lot of facility teams are conducting the research themselves or working with consultants. This allows for efficient workflow for the facility. Additionally, USGBC has tools available that complement the program and help facilities managers bridge that gap.”
Of course, not all business owners are doing the research. In Jen’s experience, there are a number of decision-makers who have not been exploring onsite clean energy solutions because they’re too busy. That’s where he believes TAPs really offer value. Jen says he and others involved with TAPs are proactively reaching out to businesses.
One such business is Hawaii-based Tradition Coffee Roasters. Its Owner and COO, Lindsey Burik says she had no idea the program existed or that her business might be eligible for grants until they were contacted by a member of the Western Onsite Energy TAP. Had the Western Onsite Energy TAP never reached out, the business would have missed the opportunity to learn about all the available options. She is happy they did.
“[The TAP representative’s] message was professional yet personal, making it clear it came from a real person rather than another generic solicitation,” says Burik. “As a small business owner constantly navigating an influx of emails, her thoughtful tone shone through, making me eager to learn more about the program.”
If the end user is interested in learning more, a TAP representative will set up an introductory virtual meeting discussing the end users’ objectives, then help them determine whether or not the program can potentially help reach those goals.
Jen says both sides collaborate to clarify objectives and expectations, and if it is immediately clear that there is not a fit, they will work with the DOE to see if an alternative program might be a better fit. If there is interest to continue, the TAP will collect more information — sometimes a simple stack of monthly utility bills is enough to get started.
“Really all we need is the data, then we walk through the operation a little bit and see if there’s something we can understand beyond the data,” says Jen.
These steps are considered technical assistance, which is one of the major ways TAPs help support the program.
“The program’s biggest strength is its hands-on support throughout the application process,” says Burik. “Without their guidance, we wouldn’t have known how to submit the application, what calculations and documents were required, or how to format everything correctly. Their site visit and genuine effort to understand our goals were invaluable. They didn’t just provide assistance — they partnered with us to ensure we could maximize the program’s environmental impact.”
TAPs also focus on providing stakeholder and end-user engagement, which entails working with the organizations that represent large energy users to better understand how onsite energy projects might support end-user objectives. Additionally, TAPs interact with utility providers and policymakers to help make onsite energy more accessible.
Jen’s enthusiasm for working with the Onsite Program and helping organizations in the western United States realize its potential is palpable when you speak to him. He loves getting to know the end users and helping them realize a solution that has the potential to help business and society both in the present and future. According to Halinan’s assessment, this type of enthusiastic approach is common across the program.
“The [Onsite Energy Program] team has done an outstanding job of putting themselves into our market and working to meet the community needs,” says Hallinan. “They have a great understanding of the uniqueness of each project and address it head-on.”
Burik is already noticing how the program will help grow her business in the coming years. She says the more efficient roster will allow busy employees to spend less time on production tasks, enabling them to focus on high-impact engagements that had been put off due to repetitive work. She said the solar panel installed on site will benefit not only Tradition Coffee Roasters but five other businesses working out of its warehouse. This reduction of energy consumption will eventually lead to solid ROI, which is a big selling point for onsite clean energy supporters.
“Buildings with sustainable infrastructure typically see financial ROI within five to seven years after implementation,” says Hallinan. “The impact can really be as big as the market makes it.”
Jake Meister is a freelance writer based in Port Washington, Wisconsin.
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