Beyond the Audit: Making Efficiency Easy and Enticing by Addressing Project Procurement

Many states have implemented an Energy Efficiency Resource Standard (EERS) or target to curtail greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. California alone has set a target of doubling energy efficiency savings in existing buildings by 2030. As more states rely on energy efficiency to reduce GHG emissions, programs designed to support the planning and implementation of energy efficiency projects will become more important. Identifying energy efficiency projects has traditionally been the focus of these programs, however delivering savings remains a key challenge. Strategies to address procurement are often overlooked as program resources focus more on technical resources, such as audits and monetary incentives. Then once identified, specialized energy efficiency projects are often folded in with standard maintenance or capital improvement projects, putting them at risk of compromising the expected performance. This paper focuses on procurement as a key component of program implementation and success and outlines key issues and challenges specifically faced by the public sector. Furthermore, the paper shares a procurement strategy implemented through the Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN) Public Agency Program that addresses these problems in order to assure intended project performance. The strategy includes engaging procurement stakeholders early in the project process, exploring the different types of procurement pathways and following an implementation checklist to enhance project success. With this systematic approach to procurement, there will be fewer barriers and energy efficiency will be easy and enticing, which will further enable states to achieve their GHG emission reduction targets.