Commercial, Demand Management, Energy Efficiency  -  February 18, 2016

DOE launches 'Better Buildings Challenge Swap' with Hilton, Whole Foods

The U.S. Department of Energy on Feb. 17 unveiled its "Better Buildings Challenge Swap," which involved Hilton Worldwide and Whole Foods Market swapping energy management teams at facilities in San Francisco. 

As part of the swap, each team identified innovative energy saving ideas at Hilton San Francisco Union Square, a 1.8 million square foot hotel and Whole Foods Ocean Avenue, a 25,600 square foot grocery store.

"Healthy competition, along with a free exchange of ideas, has long been an essential part of energy innovation," Lynn Orr, Under Secretary for Science and Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy said in a news release. "Such an exchange created by the energy department provided a way for these leading corporations — which are already accomplished in energy management — to rethink some of their standard practices and push each other to do even better. A fresh set of knowledgeable eyes would likely help us all to be more efficient. That approach will help us address our world's most pressing energy challenges, and I thank Hilton Worldwide and Whole Foods Market for taking part in this effort."

As a result of the SWAP, the Hilton Worldwide team has already started implementing several recommendations, including LED lighting upgrades, door gasket replacements and the phase-out of less efficient appliances within refrigerated containers at Hilton Union Square.

The Better Buildings Challenge is aimed at achieving the goal of doubling American energy productivity by 2030 while motivating corporate and public-sector leaders across the country to save energy through commitments and investments. More than 285 organizations are partnering with the Energy Department to achieve 20% portfolio-wide energy savings and share successful strategies that maximize efficiency over the next decade.

Across the country, partners have shared energy data for more than 32,000 properties and are reporting energy savings of 20% or more at 4,500 properties, and 10% or more at 12,000 properties.

Below is a video that might appeal to energy managers showing Hilton’s fully-automated energy and property management system:

A reality-style web series is one of the Swap's fun components. You can view the first two episodes, along with bonus footage, here. 

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