REDUCING LABORATORY ENERGY USE THROUGH DATA-DRIVEN BEHAVIOR CHANGE CAMPAIGNS · 2016-10-07 ·...

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green.harvard.edu/labs | @greenharvard | #greenharvard

REDUCING LABORATORY ENERGY USE THROUGH DATA-DRIVEN BEHAVIOR CHANGE CAMPAIGNS

Anthony Michetti | Sustainability Coordinator, Faculty

of Arts and Sciences Green Labs Program, Office for

Sustainability

DATA-DRIVEN BEHAVIOR CHANGE CAMPAIGNS | 2 green.harvard.edu/labs | @greenharvard | #greenharvard

Inside this report...ABSTRACT ......................................................... 3

THE VALUE OF SUB-METERING FOR ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE .................... 3

IMPLEMENTING LABORATORY ENERGY REDUCTION COMPETITIONS............4

MEASURING EFFECTIVENESS OF ENERGY COMPETITIONS ................................. 4

LESSONS LEARNED.......................................... 5


Abstract

Submetering laboratories and other campus spaces provides data to design and measure the effectiveness of behavior change programs that save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Occupant engagement can contribute to energy reduction

goals and help foster a sustainable campus culture in

conjunction with facilities-led energy efficiency projects.

Within the University environment, instilling sustainable

behaviors combined with other solutions implemented

in buildings can provide an opportunity to impart a

lasting impression that students will take with them after

graduation.

It is traditionally difficult to measure the effectiveness

of a behavior change program compared to the

implementation of an energy efficiency upgrade or

resource conservation project. Data collection and

reporting encourages competition, verifies results and

often the support of one program or initiative over

another.

The value of sub-metering for organizational change

A growing market for technology-driven energy

reduction solutions has demonstrated how data can be

displayed and “gamified” to build competitions and drive

behavior change in energy use by occupants in the built

environment. The use of data and competition to reduce

energy and costs is especially effective in motivating

people working in the research university setting.

Universities have a consistent flow of students and

programs cannot be implemented once and expected

to continue in perpetuity. It is important to share best

practices and keep conversations moving in cycles to

educate new occupants on how they can contribute

to a sustainable campus community. Establishing

successful behavior change can take multiple efforts

and setbacks can be an essential part of the process.

Additionally, behavior is influenced by the diverse student

population from around the globe and it is important to be

transparent and communicate positive behaviors that can

reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help combat the

effects of climate change.

The installation of electrical submetering within a building

provides several important opportunities to collect

detailed energy usage data and establish baselines from

which to act, including:

� Live wattage information from a specific source in a

defined space.

� Electricity usage from lighting in a space and/or

equipment plug load.

� Room or floor level data allows for multiple, specific

baselines to be established.

Once baselines are generated, the effectiveness of any

energy efficiency upgrade or implemented behavior

change program can be measured. Initiatives can be

designed and implemented to focus on a specific positive

behavior that will result in energy savings. As submetered

data is continuously collected it can be compared to the

established baseline and a percentage change can be

determined to measure the effectiveness of a program.

Consistent data collection through submetering helps

verify results and can drive the success of a campaign.

By sharing energy usage of a specific source up front

and having regular updates occupants are able to see

how their behavior is directly effecting a measured

outcome. They are also able to see how they compare

to others. Sharing results and increasing visibility helps

sustain positive behavior. Rewarding positive change

and providing recognition of these successes helps keep

occupants motivated and continually working towards a

goal.


Implementing laboratory energy reduction competitions

Occupant engagement programs are run across Harvard

University’s campus to help achieve its aggressive,

science-based greenhouse gas emissions reduction

goal. However, obtaining concrete, measurable results

during behavior change campaigns has traditionally been

difficult. Utilizing recently installed electrical submetering

in three lab renovations the Office for Sustainability’s

FAS Green Program was able to design and run a lighting

competition in three chemistry laboratories on campus.

These laboratory groups were chosen because their

spaces were submetered at the room level.

The competition focused on addressing energy associated

with lighting usage by encouraging positive behavior

change by occupants to turn off lights when not in use

or needed. The winner would be the group that had the

greatest percentage change in reduction of average

weekly kilowatt hours (kWh) over a three week period

compared to a baseline. The winning group received a

breakfast and a trophy, in addition to bragging rights.

As additional behavior change programs or initiatives

are explored, lighting behavior is continually mentioned

and used as an example. Occupants have taken it upon

themselves to inform new members of sustainable

behavior. Additionally, it is always important to identify and

partner with a champion in each space that consistently

supports and can engage in sustainability efforts on the

local level.

Key steps for implementing a lab energy competition:1. Announce competition at each lab’s group meeting to

discuss importance of reducing energy, provide tools to

action, and describe how the results would be verified

and communicated.

2. Distribute educational signage as a reminder.

Conduct a walkthrough of each space with laboratory

manager to identify best locations for posting.

3. Collect data weekly and share results with each lab

manager in a format that can be distributed to the full

research group. Post weekly results in each lab.

4. Announce the winner at the end of the competition

and share results at each lab’s group meeting.

5. After the competition share monthly updates with

each group. Conduct “spot checks” and encourage

continual action through surprise follow-up

competitions.

Measuring effectiveness of energy competitions

Without the ability to submeter a specific space it

becomes difficult to truly measure the success of any

given campaign and support its continuation or expansion.

In order to conduct the lighting competition baseline

data was collected for each group for one month prior to

announcing the potential of a lighting competition. If there

is potential to collect baseline data for a longer period it

may be beneficial. Creating baselines allows not only for

the verification of a behavior change program but also

energy efficiency projects that have been implemented.

Utilizing the energy data collected through submetering

the average weekly kWh usage was compared to

the specific baseline for each group to determine a

percentage change during the lighting competition. The

winning group reduced their energy usage from lighting

by 73.6% during the competition with all three groups

averaging a combined 37.8% reduction. Sustaining this

behavior would result in an annual energy reduction of

nearly 60,000kWh and$7,000 in cost savings. These

savings are representative of only three groups out of

thirty-five, in one department, at Harvard University.

Although the winnings group’s reduction of 73.6% may not

be sustainable beyond a three week time period an annual

reduction of 30% to 40% is realistic.

The positive behavior experienced during the competition

has exhibited sustained results one year after, resulting in

real energy and cost savings. The three groups averaged


an annual reduction in lighting energy use of 36.4%,

down only 1.4% from the behavior exhibited during the

competition. A second competition was held during April

2016 exactly one year after the first. This competition

compared average weekly kWh lighting use to a yearlong

baseline utilizing all data after the first competition

in April of 2015. During the second competition the

groups were able to reduce their weekly kWh usage

by an average of 21.9% from their new baselines. This

demonstrated the extra drive competition can add to an

occupant engagement program while reinforcing and

helping sustain a positive behavior. The reduction during

the second competition was a 50.9% average weekly

reduction compared to the initial baseline used for the

2015 competition.

Lessons learned for identifying future opportunities

The installation of submetering at the room or floor level

throughout a campus can support multiple energy and

cost saving programs. This data collection can drive

behavior change and programs such as competitions or

the measurement and verification of energy conservation

measures. The ability to demonstrate a real reduction in

energy use compared to a baseline can result in rebates

from the local utility. If data can be displayed on a live

dashboard stakeholders can consistently be reminded

about the impact their actions may have and understand

the immediate results from changing a certain behavior.

Guidelines must be implemented to aid in choosing

the proper submetering hardware. It is important that

project managers and teams understand the benefits

and that all people involved collaborate to insure proper

installation and data collection on an ongoing basis.

Submetering may be value engineered out of a new

project or renovation and funding could be supplemented

through incentives and rebates from the local utility. The

advantages of incorporating submetering should be

clearly stated and understood by multiple stakeholders as

often times many feel that the data is not utilized.

The winning group of the first Lighting Competition reduced their energy use from lighting 73.6% through several innovative methods such as designating a person each week to be in charge of turning lights off at the end of the day, working with facilities to remove unnecessary fixtures and turning fewer lights on in certain areas within the lab during the day.


Data collection on a micro level, more detailed than by

building, is important to develop and expand a campus’

sustainability efforts. Whether it is electrical submetering,

indoor air quality monitoring, water submetering or

tracking weights for trash, compost and recycling, having

real data can help support a specific initiative or program.

Behavior change can play a major role in energy reduction

and cost savings and should be explored in conjunction

with technological upgrades and energy efficient retrofits.

Universities focus on culture and learning, and the

promotion of positive, sustainable behavior helps advance

educational goals rather than installing technological fixes

such as occupancy sensors that do not engage or enhance

the critical thinking of the occupant. Taking a holistic

approach to solving sustainability issues and combating

the impacts of climate change is necessary to advance

campus goals, and behavior change programs play a vital

role in the toolbox needed to create these outcomes.

About Harvard’s commitment to sustainability

Harvard is confronting the challenges of climate change

and sustainability through research across disciplines,

giving our students the tools to tackle complex global

challenges, and acting on campus to model an institutional

pathway to a more sustainable, low-carbon future. The

Harvard Sustainability Plan, launched in 2014, aligns the

University under a set of goals and priorities in five key

topic areas – energy and emissions, campus operations,

nature and ecosystems, health and wellbeing, and culture

and learning. In 2008, President Drew Gilpin Faust and

the Deans approved Harvard University’s most ambitious

sustainability goal: a long-term commitment to reduce the

University’s greenhouse gas emissions by the maximum

practicable rate aligned with the best available science,

and a short-term goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

30% by 2016, including growth, from a 2006 baseline.

The Harvard Office for Sustainability brings faculty,

students, and staff together to set and achieve goals

for a healthier, more efficient and sustainable future. By

connecting research and teaching with on-campus action,

OFS works to model scalable and cost-effective solutions

that enhance the well-being of the campus community

and ultimately strengthen the University’s academic

mission.

LESSONS LEARNED

Submetering data can be effectively

used to drive behavior change through

competitions.

Submetering has a secondary benefit of

resulting in potential utility rebates.

Use real-time displays to drive action.

Guidelines for selection of submetering

hardware is important for buy-in.

The three graphs on the next pages show both competitions, both baselines, and aver-age weekly kWh from lighting for year between two competitions. The blue lab won the first competition in 2015 and the orange lab won the second competition in 2016.

REDUCING LABORATORY ENERGY USE THROUGH DATA-DRIVEN BEHAVIOR CHANGE CAMPAIGNS · 2016-10-07 ·...

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Transcript of REDUCING LABORATORY ENERGY USE THROUGH DATA-DRIVEN BEHAVIOR CHANGE CAMPAIGNS · 2016-10-07 ·...