Evaluating Energy Usage in K-12 Schools from a Statewide Perspective

Abstract

How do you benchmark more than 900 school buildings and then
audit the energy inefficient buildings in less than a year? And then how
do you implement suggestions identified in the audit to realize energy
savings? Those were the questions asked by the state of Nebraska when
they released a request for proposals (RFP) in April 2011. They asked
engineering teams to put together proposals to accomplish the above
tasks. The team of the Schemmer Associates and Waldinger Corp. was
selected from several respondents to provide services. The team worked
closely with the Nebraska Energy Office (NEO) to devise and execute a
plan that would meet the expectations of the NEO and provide action-
able information for the schools involved in the study. The execution
portion was removed from the project, which allowed school districts to
work with engineers and contractors of their choice. Beginning in early
July, every school district in the state was invited to participate in the
program. Approximately 60% of the school districts responded to the
initial requests for utility bills. Of the approximately 979 buildings, 57
received investment-grade audits and were given energy master plans
to enable them to cut their utility costs at their own pace.