This webinar on energy reduction contests was presented by Pulse Energy and Michael Driedger, Sustainable Buildings Advisor for Busby, Perkins & Will, an architecture and planning firm known for its commitment to sustainability and green building design. Michael shared how a recent inter-office competition reduced energy use by 16.5% in seven Perkins & Will offices across North America. Michael’s presentation included: • insights into setting up a successful energy reduction competition • plans to make the savings generated by the competition persistent • an explanation of the role of real-time energy displays in the competition

1. Energy Saving Competitions
Guest Presenter:
Michael Driedger
Sustainable Buildings Advisor
Busby, Perkins + Will

2. Agenda
Energy Conservation at Busby Perkins + Will
The Perkins+Will Energy Cup competition
Overview of Pulse™ software modules
Q&A
Estimated time: 45 minutes

3. Perkins+Will
• Architecture, planning, and design
• 1,200 employees in 20 offices Internationally
• Strong commitment to environmental
sustainability (#1 Greenest Firm for 2 years)
Vancouver Office of Busby Perkins+Will
• 80 Staff
• 95% of design staff are LEED Accredited
Professionals
• More than 100 design honours, including 6
Governor General and 11 Lieutenant
Governor Awards

4. Energy Conservation Efforts at
Busby Perkins+Will
Projects
• Retrofits/ Building Upgrades (insulating envelope etc)
• Occupant Engagement
• Energy Management Software
• LED lighting replacement
Lessons Learned
• As the building has a simple heating system with no
cooling (all passive) and no centralized building
automation control we have always been able to save
more energy through engagement than technological
upgrades.

5. Perkins+Will Energy Cup
• 7 offices in 2 countries
and 3 time zones
– 141,400 sq. ft. of
office space
– 590 employees
• Two week, two round
playoff format
• Goal: reduce energy
use by 8%

6. Competition Dashboard

7. Getting Started
• Started with a small competition to test
concept (Vancouver vs Seattle)
• Set goals (7% reduction)
• Got commitment from participants
• Coordinated with key personnel:
– Energy champions or “Power Rangers”
in each office
– Pulse Energy staff to arbitrate the
competition
• Prepared messaging and incentives

8. Actions Taken During Competition
Extreme behavioral patterns for Competition
• Lower than low lighting levels (task lights and
dimmed monitors only)
• No use of heating during a period that would
require heating
• Cold showers
• No coffee (machines turned off)
Successful behavioral patterns (to continue)
• Switching off boardroom lights and task lights
• Use of stand by power and turning off monitors
• Turning off computers of staff not in for the day

9. Actions Taken During Competition
Extreme Operational Changes
• Turning off both HRV
• Turning off all refrigerators
• Running laptops on batteries
Operational Changes (to continue)
• Turning off under used refrigerators
• Naturally ventilating the server room when
possible (open door also heats the office space)
• Turning down the set point of the water heater
(very inefficient heater)
• Removal of lights in areas that don’t require
them (near atrium and the one’s that light

10. Results
• Average energy reduction across entire
competition: 16.5%
• Greenhouse gas emissions prevented:
0.75 tons
• Maximum daily energy savings
achieved: 42%
• Total energy savings: approximately 2
MWhr
• Persistent energy savings after
competition period: 5% average across
7 offices (17% in one office)

11. Lessons Learned
• Start simple and build upon previous successes
• Competitions spur creative approaches to energy savings. While
some actions may not be persistent they may point towards the
need for an operational change.
• Some energy savings persist after competition ends

12. Recommendations
• Add light switch to accounting office
• Add a light switch for atrium perimeter lighting
• New more efficient water heater
• Make stand by power setting after 20 minutes automatic
on all machines
• Motion sensors in kitchen, exit stairs and new sensors
in boardrooms
• LED upgrade throughout the office (after lighting is
adjusted and wiring upgraded)

13. Recommendations
• Add a separate switch for the hall lighting and copy areas
• Change of halogen lighting for admin staff at front to softer
LED option
• Set up protocol for naturally ventilating the servers
• Set up a shut down protocol for un-used computer terminals
• Removal of older fridges and consolidation of fridge goods
to fewer fridges

14. Future Plans
• Energy Cup will become an annual
event
• The goal is to add every P+W office
• Add the feature of a water competition
• Building capacity for longer
competitions
• Challenge our consultants and clients
• Engage a sociology student to study
behavioral changes and energy
efficiency

15. Pulse™: Occupant Engagement Dashboard

16. Pulse™: Occupant Engagement Dashboard (Cont’d)

17. Pulse™: Management Module

18. Pulse™: Reporting Module

19. Pulse™: Reporting Module

20. Competition Dashboard

21. Q & A

22. Q & A

23. Q & A

24. Q & A

25. Q & A

26. Q & A

27. Q & A

28. Q & A

29. Q & A

30. Q & A

31. Q & A

32. Thank you!
 Additional questions?
 Contact Pulse Energy at: 1-877-331-0530 or at
info@pulseenergy.com
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www.pulseenergy.com/resources/webinars