Energy Management in the Government Sector— An International Review

Energy Management in the Government Sector - An International Review

Evan Mills, Nathan Martin, & Jeffrey Harris
Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory
1 Cyclotron Rd.
Berkeley, CA 94720

Nils Borg
Borg & Co.
IAEEL

1998

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Abstract

The paper reviews exsisting energy management programs for the government buildings and facilities sector based on a new survey covering 25 countries in Europe, North America, Latin America, and Asia. Governments are often the single largest users of electricity in a country, and the energy savings potential in the government building sector is significant. Government in-house energy management programs can provide an important and highly visible example to other energy users, and by directing its purchasing power governments can become important agents for market transformation.

Of the countries studied, some have very sophisticated in-house energy management programs, but as a rule, comprehensive programs are rare. The paper identifies a host of possible strategies for such programs. These are voluntary or mandatory approaches including: policies for purchasing or leasing of energy-efficient equipment, technology procurement, informational programs, standards, training, energy audits, demonstration projects, common performance or savings targets, and various financing methods. The paper outlines a few key strategies for governments that wish to introduce comprehensive in-house energy managemnt and training, and finally, life-cycle cost analysis in combination with budget allocations that need no or little additional funding.

The processes and motives leading to—or not leading to—the creation of comprehensive energy management programs in the government sector are not well understood, and further research should help explain these processes. Suggested areas for further research are the effectiveness of various comprehensive strategies, and energy management activities in the government sector other than buildings.

Proceedings of the 1997 ECEEE Summer Study, Prague, Czech Republic, Panel 4, ID 150, pp. 1-24. European Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (Copenhagen). Also available as Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory Report No. LBNL-40403. Berkeley. CA.

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