U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Federal Energy Management Program

Energy Savings Expert Teams Assessments

Energy Savings Expert Teams (ESETs)—one of a number of FEMP assessment and audit services—target federal facilities experiencing electricity or natural gas price volatility and supply shortages. ESET teams, (formerly ALERT [Assessment of Load and Energy Reduction Techniques]), are ready to work with federal sites across the country to quickly set in motion energy-efficient operating strategies, particularly during times of energy shortages and price spikes.

ESET Announcement and Report in Response to Presidential Directive—
September 2005

In response to the Presidential Directive in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, FEMP's energy savings expert teams are working with federal agencies to reduce natural gas consumption at federal facilities. Read the report (MS Word 249 KB)

FEMP will assess 25 new sites during fiscal year 2006. The cost to FEMP per site assessment is expected to range between $15,000 and $35,000. For more information (PDF 176 KB, 2 pp). Download Adobe Reader

ESET teams have assessed 28 federal sites so far in FY 2006. Read more

Working with site staff, ESET teams identify and, when feasible, assist with implementing energy-saving measures. The teams focus on identifying no-cost and low-cost energy saving measures and conduct a limited assessment of distributed generation opportunities.

ESET teams provide the following services:

  • Assess operational energy efficiency measures, focusing on low-cost and no-cost measures;
  • Evaluate on-site generation for to address vulnerability and/or reliability concerns;
  • Identify other relevant FEMP support services;
  • Identify public benefit funds available for recommended improvements and help agencies file applications for these funds;
  • Provide a summary assessment of long-term efficiency opportunities; and
  • Work with site personnel to develop an implementation plan.

To learn more about smart energy choices at the office and at home, read Energy Savings Expert Teams Assessments (PDF 162 KB, 2 pp). Download Adobe Reader

Selection Criteria

Working with agency personnel, the Department of Energy (DOE) representatives select sites according to an established set of criteria. The best candidates have the following characteristics:

  • An active project champion and management support
  • Sufficient resources to participate in the assessment and implement recommendations
  • A large cooling load and use of natural gas for cooling
  • Strong reliance on natural gas for power generation
  • A large heating load and use of natural gas for heating
  • Significant savings potential (e.g., large facilities and those with older systems)
  • Utility bills paid by the agency
  • Ability to share costs. The agency's cost-sharing contribution may be in-kind services, funding for a contractor to participate in the ESET assessment, or supporting these efforts by organizing and funding individual ESET workshops.

Expectations for Selected Sites

Agencies are expected to be active partners, providing resources and support during site assessments. In order for assessments to lead to the best recommendations possible, sites should provide the following:

  • Information before the site visit (e.g., utility data, facility, and system descriptions);
  • Qualified staff members to accompany ESET personnel on the assessment tour; and,
  • Rapid review of the draft report.

In addition, FEMP expects participating sites to commit to implementing any identified no-cost and low-cost measures that are feasible and acceptable.

Assessment Process

FEMP has developed the following quick process to assess federal sites and track the implementation of recommendations:

  1. Sites request ESET Team visits and are screened by DOE representatives using Part 1 of the ESET Interview Record (MS Word 68 KB) to determine the applicability of the ESET approach for the site. Site requests that originate with FEMP headquarters are discussed with the DOE representatives to determine applicability. DOE representatives brief sites on level of effort expected on their part.
  2. Site requests determined to be good candidates are forwarded to FEMP headquarters for assignment of an ALERT Team.
  3. The ESET Team will contact you to collect additional data to prepare for the site visit. (See Part 2 of the ESET Site Interview Record.) (MS Word 56 KB)
  4. The ESET Team visits the site. Auditors use multiple (Excel 379 KB) checklists during site evaluations.
  5. After the site visit, the team lead drafts an assessment report and coordinates the site and DOE reviews.
    • Draft report is sent to the site and DOE (3 weeks after the site visit).
    • Site and DOE staff review the report (2 weeks allowed for this review).
    • Team lead completes final plan within 2 weeks after receiving comments.
  6. Team lead sends the final report to the DOE. Then the DOE representative forwards report (with cover letter and any additional material) to the site. (The goal is for the final report to be delivered to the site within 8 weeks of the site visit.) For the highest priority sites, the team lead meets with site personnel on-site or by telecom to review the report and the site's implementation plans.
  7. The team lead advises (via email) the DOE representative of any follow-on activities desired by the site.
  8. The DOE representative is responsible for delivering follow-on support service. In addition, 2 months after report delivery, the DOE representative calls the site staff to determine the extent of implementation of the recommendations, the transfer of recommendations to other buildings, and the actual cost savings.

Getting Help

For more information on ESET assessments, contact your DOE representative. The FEMP Department of Energy representative will interview you to obtain a description of your site and gather high-level site data. Soon after, we will let you know whether your facility qualifies for this service.