Energy efficiency and conservation measures are great starting points for a decarbonization strategy once initial challenges are overcome. Organizations, such as American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE), estimate an untapped energy savings potential of as much as 30% of usage. Although very few organizations would say that they use energy as efficiently as they can, most everyone recognizes that there are substantial further efficiencies to be gained when it comes to energy consumption at facilities.

With the clear benefits of energy efficiency and the still untapped potential, the question arises – why haven’t organizations more fully exploited opportunities to use energy more efficiently?

What we find is that internal inertia most often seems to prevent organizations from realizing the many benefits of energy efficiency gains. This, in turn, arises from a lack of effective efficiency program structures – structures that are designed to overcome internal inertia and enable the identification, screening, evaluation, selection and execution of viable energy efficiency projects.

However, there are ways through which campuses can overcome the inertia that inhibits efficiency gains by instituting and operating a rigorous and complete Energy Efficiency Program Management Framework, unlocking greenhouse gas emission reductions and cost savings benefits from reduced energy consumption. Effective solutions will reduce energy usage and costs and will move the needle towards carbon reduction goals. The development and application of this framework can ensure that campuses fully realize energy savings potential within their facilities.