Managing IT Devices and Plug Loads in Commercial Applications: Energy Savings Potential, Opportunities and Program Approaches

March 9, 2010 2:00-3:30pm Eastern

Facilitator: Jason Erwin, Senior Program Manager, CEE
Experts: Kurtis McKenney, on behalf of U.S Department of Energy; J. Michael Walker, on behalf of EPA ENERGY STAR; Geoff Overland, Wisconsin Focus on Energy

What's It About?

Until recently, plug loads have been largely overlooked as an energy efficiency strategy for commercial facilities. According to the U.S. DOE Energy Information Administration's Annual Energy Outlook for 2009, plug load in commercial building has steadily increased since the early 1980's and is expected to continue to grow due to penetration of new technologies and use of office equipment. Studies prepared for the U.S. EPA show that plug load has grown from 2% to 3% in the early 1990s to well over 12% to 14% in 2007, and can represent as much as 15% of electricity use in commercial buildings.

IT and plug load energy (or power) management strategies in commercial and institutional applications can represent an opportunity to achieve cost-effective energy savings for efficiency program administrators. In this session, participants will learn about major energy consuming IT and other plug loads in commercial and institutional buildings, the energy savings potential in business applications and software, and technologies or practices that are designed to reduce IT and plug load energy consumption. Energy efficiency program administrators will offer their experiences in offering programs and solutions, such as PC power management and others, results to date, challenges and successes. This webinar will cover important foundational topics, including: defining the savings opportunities and market potential; identifying key considerations for program design and delivery approaches; available tools for program administrators; program evaluation metrics and results; and lessons learned from experts in the field.

Who Should Attend?

Ask the Experts is open to new administrators of energy efficiency programs, state regulators, and employees of CEE members. Contractors and consultants are currently excluded. Others may participate by personal invitation of CEE.

This session is designed for commercial program planners, new commercial program managers (0 to 3 years experience), and members considering how to integrate IT or plug load efficiency opportunities into their programs.