Optimizing Performance: Building Energy IQ

The Challenge

Commercial buildings are responsible for nearly 40% of energy-related emissions, making them a critical target for energy efficiency improvements. However, building energy managers often struggle to identify and implement effective energy-saving measures. These challenges include fragmented data sources, limited real-time insights, and insufficient access to training in advanced building energy management techniques. 

Edo, in partnership with Avista, a leading utility provider, recognized the need for a comprehensive solution to help commercial customers improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions. The goal was to create a scalable model that saves energy, enhances operational efficiency, improves occupant comfort, and contributes to decarbonization goals.

The Solution

Edo and Avista developed the Building Energy IQ (BEIQ) pilot to combine the best practices of strategic energy and operational management with cutting-edge building technology and engineering expertise. This approach aimed to deliver high-touch, high-value energy efficiency to commercial customers, enhancing their building operations and reducing energy costs.

The solution leveraged Edo’s platform. In other words, it’s an advanced energy management tool designed to provide high-level strategic insights and granular, real-time data. It enables seamless collaboration with building energy managers, owners, and operators. Furthermore, the platform integrated various data sources. These included utility bill data and building automation systems (BAS) data, into a user-friendly interface. 

Edo installed a compact, powerful gateway in each building, connecting to the controls network. This secure gateway identified all connected devices using standard building operational technology network protocols like BACnet and Modbus. Machine learning algorithms were employed for fault detection and diagnosis, identifying opportunities for energy efficiency and improved occupant comfort for each customer.

Finally, Edo provided ongoing support to building owners and operators. Consequently, this ensured effective platform utilization, successful implementation of identified energy efficiency measures (EEMs), and deep insights into building and asset energy performance. 

The pilot initially recruited 13 building owners and 16 small business and commercial buildings across two states. However, there were also plans to expand to over 100 facilities. To drive participation, the project teams engaged small business and commercial customers through strategic marketing and collaborative partnerships, educating owners about the BEIQ pilot and onboarding them onto the platform. 

The Results

The BEIQ pilot demonstrated significant success in generating energy savings and improving operational efficiency:

• Average Electricity Savings: The pilot achieved an average electricity savings of 12% when comparing annual usage to the pre-participation baseline.

• Average Gas Savings: The pilot achieved an average gas savings of 13% when comparing annual usage to the pre-participation baseline.

• Implemented Energy Efficiency Measures (EEMs): The pilot identified 317 EEMs representing an opportunity value of $1.18 million.

Building-Level Impact

The BEIQ pilot successfully optimized energy performance across diverse building types:

Office Building Efficiency Gains

A 22,000-square-foot office building in the program implemented a range of EEMs. For example, these included occupancy-based scheduling and HVAC optimization. In addition, control adjustments included aligning variable air volume (VAV) supply flows with occupancy, adjusting exhaust fan schedules, and correcting air handling unit (AHU) discharge set points. These efforts resulted in a 16% reduction in annual electricity use and a 29% reduction in natural gas use.

Hospital Performance Improvements

A 50,000-square-foot hospital identified opportunities for ventilation, cooling, and boiler optimization, leading to a 9% reduction in electricity use and a 17% reduction in natural gas savings. The EEMs that were implemented included adjusting ventilation rates to align with occupancy, optimizing cooling setpoints, improving boiler efficiency, and refining equipment schedules to reduce energy use.

Achievements

• Energy Savings: Reductions in electricity consumption and operational costs.
• Enhanced Operational Efficiency: Streamlined processes and improved maintenance workflows.
• Non-Energy Benefits: Non-energy benefits such as improved facility operations, occupant comfort, indoor air quality, extended equipment lifespan, and reduced carbon emissions.
• Customer Engagement: Surveys revealed that participants valued the pilot’s analytics, recognized its impact beyond energy savings, and gained deeper insights into utility grant and rebate programs.
• Grant Funding: A community center, serving as a critical resource for low-income individuals, received $1 million in government grants to implement identified EEMs.

Conclusion

The results highlight the potential of advanced building energy management solutions. The pilot’s progress has paved the way for broader implementation, helping Avista and its customers move closer to achieving their energy efficiency and sustainability goals.