Creating a Decarbonization Tool for Existing County Facilities
Arlington County, Virginia has aggressive climate goals to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Specific strategies within the County’s Community Energy Plan address energy and emissions reductions for multiple sectors, including government operations. The County has over 90 facilities with a diversity of end uses, building types, energy load profiles and other characteristics with differing energy efficiency and decarbonization opportunities.
The County, with consultant support, created a custom tool (Decarb Tool) for decision support and prioritization of decarbonization opportunities in existing facilities. This tool was developed with extensive collection of facility data, utility interval data as well as an energy efficiency and decarbonization measure characterization database.
Twelve facilities were selected from the County’s portfolio for energy modeling of multiple measures creating alternative scenarios. Each scenario further applies equipment, fuel and operations and maintenance cost data and GHG impacts, culminating in an interactive Power BI tool displaying the scenarios with key metrics for prioritization that also incorporates feasibility considerations. A rigorous process centered around the Decarb Tool is now being applied in the County’s facility upgrade project planning and capital budgeting process.
Participants in this session will learn about the goals of the Decarb Tool, the development process, and its applications.
Speaker Bio
Steve Burr is currently the Energy Manager for Arlington County, Virginia, supporting the implementing of the Community Energy Plan to achieve the County's carbon neutrality goal. He is an accomplished energy and sustainability professional with over decade of experience in strategic planning, program implementation and data analysis. Prior experience includes managing a portfolio of utility energy efficiency and demand side management programs and supporting the U.S. Department of Energy’s and local government sustainability, climate and energy programs. He is a Certified Energy Manager and Renewable Energy Professional through AEE.