View the Awards Ceremony presentation

The VAEEC celebrated the winners of its sixth Annual Virginia Energy Efficiency Leadership Awards on Tuesday, November 16th. The event was held in conjunction with the VAEEC’s 2021 Energy Efficiency Forum. The awards showcase how energy efficiency champions across the Commonwealth are helping businesses, governments, homeowners, and schools save money on energy bills, reduce energy consumption, and stimulate job growth and our economy. These awards emphasize innovative projects or programs that demonstrate an outstanding or unique contribution to energy efficiency beyond that which is to be expected. As with previous years, this was a competitive process, which highlights just how much is being accomplished in the Commonwealth. 

2021 WINNERS

Academic: Virginia Commonwealth University Energy Performance Contract

Implementing Entities: Schneider Electric, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Virginia Energy

Commercial: Virginia’s 1st C-PACE Project- Rocklands Barbeque & Grilling Company

Implementing Entities: Rocklands Barbeque & Grilling Company, Arlington County C-PACE Program, Arlington Community Federal Credit Union, Ipsun Solar, Sustainable Real Estate Solutions

Government: City of Virginia Beach’s Energy Conservation PSA Videos

Implementing Entities: The City of Virginia Beach’s Energy Office and Communications Department

SUMMARIES

Academic: Virginia Commonwealth University Energy Performance Contract

The Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Energy Performance Contract (EPC) project demonstrated that energy savings and enhanced building operations can work hand in hand. The EPC project served as a source of low-cost funding that allowed VCU to tackle several ongoing maintenance issues. Schneider Electric implemented the project using Virginia Energy’s, formerly known as the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals & Energy, Energy Savings Performance Contracting program. 

The modifications and upgrades were completed with the buildings occupied and in use. This was a large and complicated project that touched 17 buildings on both VCU campuses. The energy conservation measures included LED lighting, duct repair, building envelope improvements, energy recovery coils, exhaust fan upgrades, new controls for chemical fume hoods, a cooling tower upgrade, boiler replacements and building controls upgrades. 

This project reduced VCU’s carbon footprint by 59,093 metric tons of carbon dioxide and its deferred maintenance by more than $12M. Energy usage was reduced by 4,400,000 kWh and cost savings totaled $1,090,023.

Commercial: Virginia’s 1st C-PACE Project- Rocklands Barbeque & Grilling Company

On July 7, 2021, Arlington C-PACE announced that Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company will leverage Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing to pay for roof upgrades and to install two solar photovoltaic systems totaling 44kW on two adjacent properties located in Arlington County. These are the first two C-PACE projects in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The project will generate almost 59,000 kWh of electricity per year. While it cost approximately $142,000 to complete, the project’s energy savings are estimated to be $281,000+ over the effective useful life of the equipment. This project provides a massive opportunity to replicate solar and C-PACE across the Commonwealth

Government: City of Virginia Beach’s Energy Conservation PSA Videos

The City of Virginia Beach’s Energy Office partnered with the City’s Communication Department to improve the energy conservation messages to their members. They evaluated current, nationally produced conservation PSAs and found most were formulaic or ineffective. After the City’s recent tragedy, they needed light-hearted reminders to save energy. Together, the team developed a new PSA campaign that used humor to engage members and drive home the call to action. With the help of 35 City employees volunteering their time as extras, three PSAs have been created to date. “Plug-Load,” debuted at the October 2019 City Leadership Meeting and was a hit. “Space Heaters,” was released in 2020. “Driving to Meetings,” will debut after COVID-19 moves energy usage back to the norm. 

With more than 1,800 views on YouTube, the City’s Energy Office has increased awareness and interest in energy conservation. Using partnerships and new approaches can do great things for energy conservation.

Congratulations to all of our 2021 Virginia Energy Efficiency Leadership Awards winners! 

The VAEEC would like to thank each and every group that submitted an award this year. It is your stories and achievements that help us talk with legislators and other decision-makers about the importance of the energy efficiency industry in Virginia.