Printable Version

Federal Energy Saver Showcase

To promote wise energy and water use throughout the Federal government, agencies are showcasing cost effective energy efficiency, water-conserving, and renewable energy technologies in their facilities. From 1995-2007, FEMP recognized many Federal government sites as Federal Energy Saver Showcases. A showcase plaque was awarded for facilities that reflected an integrated, sustainable building approach. The prominently-displayed plaque communicated to all visitors that the facility was considered by FEMP to be among the best federal showcases of energy efficiency, innovation, and sustainable design principles.

Beginning in 2008, FEMP will no longer designate Federal Energy Saver Showcases. The Federal Energy and Water Management Awards now includes a Sustainable Design category that covers similar project criteria to Showcases. However, instead of making the award to the facility, the award will be made to the individuals responsible for the project.

FEMP encourages agencies to continue creating and designating their own showcase facilities. Please read on for further guidance.

What are the benefits?

Showcasing facilities has considerable benefits:

• Increases awareness of energy-efficient and renewable energy technologies applicable to all Federal facilities.
• Facilitates technology transfer through partnerships between agencies, utilities, manufacturers, and others.
• Improves the quality of projects through design assistance to selected showcase facilities.
• Recognizes agencies for their efforts.

How is a site selected as a showcase?

The following guidelines are provided for designating buildings as showcase facilities:

• Buildings receive a high number of non-Federal visitors.
• Features of a project are replicable.
• Visitors can learn from site displays.

FEMP further suggests that the showcase sites have a resident energy champion, use innovative financing, and measure actual savings. Showcase designation is not limited by location or technology. Showcases past and present have featured a wide variety of technologies at very different Federal sites across the country.

How is a showcase facility created?

Agencies can use the following steps to create showcase facilities:

• Identify facilities for showcase designation.
• Use or obtain a high-quality energy audit.
• Seek design assistance and develop partnerships.

What kinds of technologies are featured?

Many showcase projects have involved high-efficiency lighting retrofits or the installation of more efficient heating, ventilating, and cooling systems. Some projects have included the use of renewable energy technologies such as solar thermal systems for hot-water heating, as well as photovoltaics (PV) for electricity production. Building-integrated photovoltaics, which replace another integral building structural component with a similar component enhanced with built-in PV power, have been incorporated in several new construction projects.

Other new construction projects are also using passive solar design strategies that combine basic energy efficiency practices with building designs that maximize natural heating, cooling, and daylighting.

The concept of whole building design, which emphasizes the interdependency of building components, has also been incorporated into several new showcase facilities. Rather than being designed as distinct systems, building features are designed to work together to optimize overall building energy efficiency and improve worker productivity.

Federal facilities are also improving their water efficiency through installation of low-flow fixtures, water-efficient landscaping and irrigation methods, and water reuse and recycling, as well as other process and equipment changes.

How can agencies fund showcase facility projects?

FEMP suggests several methods to fund showcase facility projects:

• Energy Savings Performance Contracting—FEMP provides direct project assistance, broad policy guidance, and training materials.
• Utility incentives—FEMP works directly with other Federal agencies and utilities to ensure that individual facilities take maximum advantage of utility-sponsored financial and technical assistance programs.
• Agency appropriations and life-cycle cost-effectiveness—Agencies can use existing appropriations for investments in energy efficiency. Showcase facilities do not necessarily cost more; by considering life-cycle cost-effectiveness, the potentially higher capital costs of energy-efficient technologies can often be offset through lower operating and maintenance costs over the life of the equipment.

How does FEMP help agencies?

FEMP provides the following services to help agencies create showcase facilities:

• Design assistance—The design assistance program provides agencies with direct project implementation support and serves as the central focus for expanding the use of energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy in Federal facilities.
• SAVEnergy action plans—FEMP provides facility managers with specific action plans for installing conservation measures. The program helps agencies identify the best, most cost-effective energy, water, and renewable energy projects.
• Increased technology awareness—FEMP provides support to all Federal agencies to facilitate information transfer on energy and water resource management within the Federal and private sectors.
• Development of promotional materials—Federal agencies receive support through publications and electronic media that help facility managers make the best decisions on energy-saving opportunities.
• Interagency coordination—FEMP is the lead office for coordinating the implementation of EO 13423 energy provisions. It facilitates partnerships between agencies and the private sector to assist in leveraging funding and other services

Federal Energy Saver Showcase Award Winners

2007 Award Winners
2006 Award Winners
2005 Award Winners
2004 Award Winners
2003 Award Winners
2002 Award Winners
2001 Award Winners