Forty-three percent of energy leaders say their investment in energy efficiency next year is projected to be more than it was last year, according to survey results released today by Schneider Electric. Twenty-two percent said their projected investment would stay the same, and 10 percent reported their investment would be less than last year.
The survey, conducted in June at Schneider Electric’s Xperience Efficiency events in Washington, D.C. and Dallas, includes responses from 369 leaders in energy efficiency from business and government sectors and was intended to provide insight into the future of energy efficiency and challenges organizations face.
“Energy efficiency is the first and best fuel source we have to meet our nation’s growing energy demands and use our energy more effectively,” said Chris Curtis, President and CEO, North America Operations, Schneider Electric. “It’s good for job creation and the environment, and allows companies to cut costs along with their consumption. With the majority of respondents reporting energy efficiency investments to be the same or more than last year, it’s clear that the benefits of energy efficiency are speaking for themselves.”
Sixty-four percent of respondents reported energy cost savings as the biggest driver impacting energy management investment decisions. Government incentives came in second with 10 percent, followed by government policies and industry standards with 8 percent, executive mandate with 6 percent and brand image with 5 percent.
The majority of respondents, 63 percent, reported they had invested in energy efficiency programs in the past 12 months. Specifically, the two most common energy management practices that respondents’ organizations have adopted in the past 12 months were tracking and analyzing data (29 percent) and energy audits (also 29 percent).
The respondents also shared their thoughts on which energy management approaches will take hold in the next five years, predicting that building automation (24 percent), efficient lighting (21 percent) and data center efficiency (16 percent) would become the most popular.
Other significant survey findings include:
· 41 percent of respondents cited tax credits or incentives as the energy policy that has had the greatest impact on improving energy efficiency in their organization.
· 60 percent of respondents said that they have someone in their organization responsible for energy management.
“While these results show good progress, we have a significant opportunity to do more,” concluded Curtis. “The U.S. currently ranks ninth in energy efficiency among the largest global economies, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. This is unacceptable. We have many opportunities right now -- practical, tangible actions any business, government or homeowner can take -- to improve efficiency with a quick return on investment and immediate results.”
Xperience Efficiency 2013 took place in the Washington D.C. area from June 4-6 and Dallas, Texas from June 18-20. A free event, it brought together customers, partners and governments to collaborate and share knowledge on how to solve energy and sustainability challenges. The event focused on the latest integrated energy and sustainability trends, and solutions that deliver energy management, energy access, and business process performance answers across the energy value chain -- impacting the future of efficiency at home, at work, across the grid and in towns and cities.
To learn more about Schneider Electric’s thought leadership in energy management and energy efficiency, visit http://www.schneider-electric.
Methodology
This survey was commissioned by Schneider Electric between June 4, 2013 and June 20, 2013 to gather feedback on energy management and energy efficiency in the North America region. It was taken by 369 people at Schneider Electric’s Xperience Efficiency events, specifically 204 people in Washington, D.C. and 165 people in Dallas. The survey included 9 multiple choice questions. Responses have been analyzed by Global Resource Optimization (GRO) in association with Text100.
About Schneider Electric
As a global specialist in energy management with operations in more than 100 countries, SchneiderElectric offers integrated solutions across multiple market segments, including leadership positions in Utilities & Infrastructure, Industries & Machines Manufacturers, Non-residential Building, Data Centers & Networks and in Residential. Focused on making energy safe, reliable, efficient, productive and green, the company's 140,000 plus employees achieved sales of 30.8 billion US dollars (24 billion euros) in 2012, through an active commitment to help individuals and organizations make the most of their energy.
Related Stories
| Nov 3, 2010
Public works complex gets eco-friendly addition
The renovation and expansion of the public works operations facility in Wilmette, Ill., including a 5,000-sf addition that houses administrative and engineering offices, locker rooms, and a lunch room/meeting room, is seeking LEED Gold certification.
| Nov 3, 2010
Sailing center sets course for energy efficiency, sustainability
The Milwaukee (Wis.) Community Sailing Center’s new facility on Lake Michigan counts a geothermal heating and cooling system among its sustainable features. The facility was designed for the nonprofit instructional sailing organization with energy efficiency and low operating costs in mind.
| Nov 3, 2010
Seattle University’s expanded library trying for LEED Gold
Pfeiffer Partners Architects, in collaboration with Mithun Architects, programmed, planned, and designed the $55 million renovation and expansion of Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons at Seattle University. The LEED-Gold-designed facility’s green features include daylighting, sustainable and recycled materials, and a rain garden.
| Nov 3, 2010
Recreation center targets student health, earns LEED Platinum
Not only is the student recreation center at the University of Arizona, Tucson, the hub of student life but its new 54,000-sf addition is also super-green, having recently attained LEED Platinum certification.
| Nov 3, 2010
New church in Connecticut will serve a growing congregation
Tocci Building Companies will start digging next June for the Black Rock Congregational Church in Fairfield, Conn. Designed by Wiles Architects, the 103,000-sf multiuse facility will feature a 900-person worship center with tiered stadium seating, a children’s worship center, a chapel, an auditorium, a gymnasium, educational space, administrative offices, commercial kitchen, and a welcome center with library and lounge.
| Nov 3, 2010
Senior housing will be affordable, sustainable
Horizons at Morgan Hill, a 49-unit affordable senior housing community in Morgan Hill, Calif., was designed by KTGY Group and developed by Urban Housing Communities. The $21.2 million, three-story building will offer 36 one-bed/bath units (773 sf) and 13 two-bed/bath units (1,025 sf) on a 2.6-acre site.
| Nov 3, 2010
Designs complete for new elementary school
SchenkelShultz has completed design of the new 101,270-sf elementary Highlands Elementary School, as well as designs for three existing buildings that will be renovated, in Kissimmee, Fla. The school will provide 48 classrooms for 920 students, a cafeteria, a media center, and a music/art suite with outdoor patio. Three facilities scheduled for renovations total 19,459 sf and include an eight-classroom building that will be used as an exceptional student education center, a older media center that will be used as a multipurpose building, and another building that will be reworked as a parent center, with two meeting rooms for community use. W.G. Mills/Ranger is serving as CM for the $15.1 million project.
| Nov 3, 2010
Chengdu retail center offers a blend of old and new China
The first phase of Pearl River New Town, an 80-acre project in Chengdu, in China’s Wenjiang District, is under way along the banks of the Jiang’an River. Chengdu was at one time a leading center for broadcloth production, and RTKL, which is overseeing the project’s master planning, architecture, branding, and landscape architecture, designed the project’s streets, pedestrian pathways, and bridges to resemble a woven fabric.
| Nov 3, 2010
Rotating atriums give Riyadh’s first Hilton an unusual twist
Goettsch Partners, in collaboration with Omrania & Associates (architect of record) and David Wrenn Interiors (interior designer), is serving as design architect for the five-star, 900-key Hilton Riyadh.
| Nov 3, 2010
Virginia biofuel research center moving along
The Sustainable Energy Technology Center has broken ground in October on the Danville, Va., campus of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research. The 25,000-sf facility will be used to develop enhanced bio-based fuels, and will house research laboratories, support labs, graduate student research space, and faculty offices. Rainwater harvesting, a vegetated roof, low-VOC and recycled materials, photovoltaic panels, high-efficiency plumbing fixtures and water-saving systems, and LED light fixtures will be deployed. Dewberry served as lead architect, with Lord Aeck & Sargent serving as laboratory designer and sustainability consultant. Perigon Engineering consulted on high-bay process labs. New Atlantic Contracting is building the facility.
