Energy Management in Industrial and Commercial Buildings

This course provides an overview of energy consumption and management in industrial and commercial buildings, with a focus on sustainability and environmental impact. It highlights the significant changes in building construction, materials, and equipment designed to promote sustainability. The increasing cost of energy has made it a major portion of operating expenses, underscoring the need for proper energy management.

The course aims to bridge the knowledge gap in understanding the importance of energy management among industry professionals and outside contractors. It presents common and accepted practices, including upgrading insulation, modifying equipment operation, and integrating heat recovery into ventilation systems.

Participants will explore the differences between commercial and industrial facilities. For example, public-facing commercial areas like malls often have multiple entrances that complicate energy control, while industrial buildings located in remote areas may require additional costs for outside experts and specialized equipment.

Key topics include important building codes, municipal bylaws, and material hazards such as asbestos and urea formaldehyde foam insulation. These materials may require mitigation strategies during renovations that involve wall removal.

The course emphasizes sustainability and energy efficiency, particularly in commercial buildings, which contribute approximately 13% of greenhouse gas emissions. Retrofitting these structures—by installing solar panels or improving heating and ventilation systems—can yield cost-effective improvements in energy performance.

It also addresses changes in commercial space usage due to the pandemic and increased remote work, presenting opportunities for retrofitting and future-proofing. Older buildings constructed before 1980 often lack energy-efficient design, making retrofitting more challenging but also more necessary.

Students will learn to evaluate building energy use, identify areas of energy loss, and implement strategies to conserve and redirect energy. Retrofitting choices—such as LED lighting upgrades or improved insulation—support better capital planning and improved building efficiency.

Further topics include ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) commitments, LEED certification considerations, and energy efficiency in industrial facilities such as heavy manufacturing plants. Retrofitting must account for the facility’s use, whether it is public-facing, remote, or urban, as well as occupancy levels and equipment sensitivity to temperature.

The course addresses idle equipment management, including maintenance implications and the need for protective measures like anti-corrosion coatings for long-term storage. It concludes with a discussion on risk assessment related to climate events, such as snowstorms, and the reliability of emergency power and gas supplies.

Each property presents unique challenges and opportunities, and energy management decisions should be based on specific risk-reward analyses tailored to the facility’s context.