Focus on Energy Disaster Relief Offerings and ComEd’s Virtual Commissioning Program - 2020 Inspiring Efficiency Innovation Award Winners

accepting innovation award

Two pioneering programs were honored with the Inspiring Efficiency Innovation Award at the 2020 Inspiring Efficiency Awards Dinner & Gala. The Inspiring Efficiency Innovation Award is presented to the nominee that has developed and implemented a successful new and innovative program, campaign or strategy or has implemented a program in a new and innovative way.

Focus on Energy Disaster Relief Offerings

Focus on Energy formed the Flood Relief Offering for affected rural small businesses and residents after major flooding from extensive rainfall. Additionally, in response to collapsed structures and barn roofs from heavy snow buildup, the Farm Disaster Bonus was created. These disaster relief initiatives helped rural residents and small businesses recover from recent natural disasters by replacing impaired equipment and reconstructing damaged buildings with newer, longer-lasting, energy-efficient measures that reduce overall energy costs. The offerings provided a bonus incentive alongside existing energy efficiency incentives when participants rebuilt or upgraded through a Focus on Energy program and also received guidance from an Energy Advisor to identify and incorporate energy efficiency measures in their projects for maximum savings.

The award was accepted on behalf of Focus on Energy by Jolene Sheil, Director, Focus on Energy Public Service Commission of Wisconsin.

Virtual Commissioning Program

Partnering with Power TakeOff to deliver its Virtual Commissioning (VCx) Program, ComEd has successfully leveraged its Grid Modernization investment to implement a cost-effective, scalable, and measurable energy efficiency solution for SMB and public institution accounts. These hard-to-reach customer segments represent more than 90% of all non-residential accounts for ComEd.

Using newly available interval meter data, the program remotely identifies and crafts personalized, site-specific energy efficiency recommendations. Each commissioning opportunity is individually reviewed with the targeted prospect, who is encouraged and taught how to adjust the operations of their existing equipment to save energy. The VCx Program has grown substantially from its 2 GWh savings achievement in 2017 to 8 GWh in 2018 and an estimated 15 GWh for 2019.

Rick Tonielli, Sr. Energy Efficiency Program Manager, ComEd was presented the award during the 16th Annual IEA Dinner & Gala.

We congratulate these innovative programs! Read more about the Focus on Energy Disaster Relief Offerings and the Virtual Commissioning Program.