capitol complex panoramic view

Office of Energy Management

electric meter

Objectives: The objective and purpose of the Office of Energy Management (OEM) Program is to identify and implement strategies to achieve energy and other utility savings in all TFC Facilities and at the same time maintaining a healthy and comfortable working environment.

 

OEM uses following strategies and others to achieve the above mentioned goals:

  • Management of the TFC statewide Utilities database, contracts, and reporting systems.
  • Negotiation of lower cost energy contracts with utility providers.
  • In-House Retro-Commissioning - OEM's retro-commissioning process provides a systematic method for assessing existing building equipment/systems and planning upgrades directed towards improving energy efficiency. Based on the findings from the retro-commissioning process OEM directs/coordinates modification of existing building mechanical systems with digital building automation and energy management systems, selection and installation of energy efficient equipment and systems, and develops/provides oversight for smaller energy projects.
  • Assessment of emerging alternative energy and energy conservation solutions and their application when possible.
  • Utilization of energy rebate programs and low cost energy loans and grants where feasible. 
  • Regular reporting to TFC Commission and governor’s office about current status and future plans of OEM in regards to energy conservation initiatives, utility usage, and deferred maintenance projects related to energy and resource conservation.

 

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Energy Management also works across the lines of multiple program areas to achieve these goals; from reviewing repairs and equipment replacements for Operations and Maintenance, to implementing operations initiatives through Building Automation and Controls, to consultation with project management on deferred maintenance projects.

 

Energy Work Group Meetings: OEM organizes regular meetings for the TFC Energy Work Group which includes two TFC Commissioners, FDC Management, TFC Fiscal Management, and Property/Real Estate Management. In the 2014 calendar year, OEM will primarily focus on three areas in order to maximize results:

 

  • Developing a plan to collaborate with the fiscal division to perform a more rigorous review of our utility bills to verify their accuracy and to identify anomalies.  This will ensure we are paying for accurately recorded consumption and expose any operational issues that may be wasting resources.
  • Continuing to support the deferred maintenance program in reviewing designs, making suggestions for improvement, and vetting proposals for use of new technology.
  • Continuing to plan for the expansion of the load cooperative agreement with Austin Energy for the coming cooling season.  (During the calendar year 2013 cooling season, TFC’s participation in Austin Energy’s Load Coop Program yielded approximately $10,000 in electric utility rebates.)

 

While concentrating on these main focus areas, OEM will continue to actively manage and study other means to further increase energy efficiency across the TFC platform.

 

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Resource Conservation Committee (RCC): In March of 2014, OEM initiated the establishment of the Resource Conservation Committee (RCC). This committee’s charge will be to coordinate and promote activities related to energy and resource conservation and serve as a conduit between the TFC Energy Work Group, the Commission and the rest of the agency in matters related to energy and resource conservation.

 

The first meeting of RCC was on March 27th, 2014. The meeting was attended by the TFC Executive Director and directors of all other departments.   RCC plans to meet monthly until a number of initiatives are developed at which point the meetings will transition to a quarterly frequency. Going forward, any major decisions and developments will be reported to commission.

 

Electricity, Water, and Natural Gas Consumption Report

A quarterly generated spreadsheet depicting usage and costs of all utilities throughout the portfolio of facilities for which TFC pays such utilities. The data in this document contains 4 years of history.

 

Energy Conservation Plan

A quarterly generated report required by Executive Order (RP49) that describes TFC’s energy conservation activities and goals for the previous quarter.

 

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