7 Surprising Benefits of Strategic Energy Management (SEM): Report

SEM is much more than a program: learn 7 lessons that can expand your understanding.

Strategic Energy Management (SEM) is widely recognized as a best practice for energy efficiency among program administrators and SEM practitioners. However, SEM's fundamental principles can apply to a vast range of business and process improvement strategies; therefore, strategic Energy Management should not be just a program; It can be so much more.

EIP has authored a thought-provoking report, “SEM is More Than a Program”, delivering the reader a comprehensive overview of SEM, its history, benefits, and potential for broader applications. Below are seven reasons, “SEM is More Than a Program”, is a valuable resource for program administrators, SEM practitioners, and anyone interested in energy efficiency.

Read “SEM is More Than a Program”

What this report reveals:

1. Expands the Vision of SEM: It challenges the conventional view of SEM as a discrete program and promotes its evolution into a broad, foundational system. It envisions SEM as an integral access point for the entire energy efficiency portfolio, especially for commercial and industrial customers.
   
   
2. Highlights the History and Evolution of SEM: The article traces the origins of SEM back to the 1970s and discusses key milestones, such as the launch of the Superior Energy Performance (SEP) program and the introduction of the ISO 50001 Energy Management Standard. This historical context provides readers with a deeper understanding of how SEM has evolved into a best practice for energy management.
   
   
3. Details the Wide-Ranging Benefits of SEM: It outlines the numerous advantages of SEM programs, including increased profitability, enhanced employee productivity, reduced environmental impact, improved energy efficiency, better peak demand management, and increased reliability. It also provides examples of how utilities like Southern California Edison, Bonneville Power Administration, and Puget Sound Energy have successfully implemented SEM programs.
   
   
4. Explores SEM's Role in Decarbonization: The article emphasizes SEM's potential to support decarbonization efforts by reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. It highlights strategies such as fuel switching, electrification, demand-side management, and the use of on-site renewables and batteries.
   
   
5. Introduces the Concept of Portfolio-Level SEM (PL-SEM): The authors propose reimagining SEM as an outreach program that amplifies the impact of the entire energy efficiency portfolio. It details the advantages of PL-SEM, such as improved customer service, standardized measurement and verification, simplified evaluation processes, and reduced costs for utility programs.
   
   
6. Provides a Practical Framework for Implementing PL-SEM: The reader is provided with a step-by-step guide for adopting PL-SEM, including securing funding, cross-training staff, incorporating SEM strategies into customer interactions, and rolling out a whole-facility measurement and verification approach.
   
   
7. Addresses Equity Considerations: The article acknowledges that the benefits of SEM are not always equally accessible, and that PL-SEM can help make SEM more accessible to smaller, under-resourced businesses. It suggests prioritizing funding for SEM programs in disadvantaged communities to promote economic resilience and reduce environmental pollution.

The article, “SEM is More Than a Program”, provides a compelling case for expanding the application of SEM principles across energy efficiency portfolios. By reimagining SEM as a customer service tool and enabler of the portfolio, utility companies can forge deeper, long-term partnerships with customers and achieve greater energy and cost savings.

We encourage interested readers to learn more about SEM and challenge their perspectives by reading the full white paper.

About Energy Infrastructure Partners (EIP) 

EIP is a national diversity firm with extensive experience managing SEM projects and providing engineering and technical expertise in energy efficiency and sustainability across the USA. EIP provides Utility Services, Public Sector Services, and services to Green Energy Project Lenders. Learn more about EIP by visiting our website, energyinfrapartners.com, or contact us at www.energyinfrapartners.com/contact.