BrandSafway

At a Glance

Industry

Professional and Technical Services

Project Types

Commercial Energy Efficiency, Data Analysis, Sustainability and Energy Management Strategy

Year

2024

Location

Atlanta, GA

Summary

The 12-week fellowship involved evaluating the energy consumption patterns across BrandSafway's North American facilities, with a primary focus on identifying potential areas for energy efficiency improvements. This assessment is part of a broader effort to reduce energy use and transition the organization towards more sustainable energy efficiency practices. Also, detailed data analysis and audits were conducted to provide actionable insights and recommendations.

Goals

The project aimed to assess energy usage trends across 233 BrandSafway facilities in North America, examining seasonality impacts and energy source types. A key goal was identifying high-consumption "hot spots" and developing strategies to reduce or transition these sites to more sustainable and cost-effective practices. Understanding current energy practices was essential for pinpointing improvement areas and formulating sustainable energy recommendations. This included detailed cost-benefit analyses to determine the financial impact of proposed energy-efficient equipment, calculating payback periods, net profit values, CO2 reduction, and ROI, highlighting the financial and environmental benefits of adopting efficient energy practices.

Solutions

To achieve the project's goals, several methodologies were employed. Monthly trend analysis tracked energy consumption for each site, identifying variations and periods of high usage. Seasonal variation analysis categorized data by winter, spring, summer, and fall to understand the impact of seasonal changes on energy consumption. Energy source analysis examined the role of different sources like electricity and natural gas in sustainability and cost management. Heatmap analysis visualized energy consumption over time, pinpointing high-consumption periods. The project identified the top eight sites with the highest energy consumption in 2023, narrowing it down to the top four for detailed audits. These audits included reviewing invoices, verifying billing data, and creating data plots to illustrate trends and anomalies. This comprehensive approach ensured accurate data for targeted recommendations. Using these methods, the project provided a detailed analysis of energy consumption patterns, identified improvement areas, and proposed effective strategies for reducing energy use and transitioning to sustainable energy efficiency practices.

Potential Impact

Implementing the recommended solutions will significantly improve energy efficiency at BrandSafway sites. Short-term measures, such as energy audits, will identify immediate improvement areas. Long-term strategies, like adopting LED lighting and energy-efficient HVAC systems, will enhance efficiency and reduce costs. Cost savings are expected, with detailed analyses showing financial benefits from reduced energy use and efficient equipment. The recommendations aim to reduce CO2 emissions, aligning with BrandSafway's sustainability ambitions. Employee engagement through training on energy-saving practices will foster a culture of sustainability, enhancing the effectiveness of these strategies. These findings offer a clear path for BrandSafway to improve energy efficiency, cost savings, and enhance sustainability, for a sustainable future.

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