King County, Washington has become the largest government in the U.S. to use a new energy-tracking system used by Microsoft.Forty of the county’s building operators recently completed the BOC training and earned and maintained their certification. These employees will be integral to operating county buildings to support achievement of the county’s energy performance goals
The following story was provided via the King County website and is authored by Chad Lewis, chad.lewis@kingcounty.gov, 206-263-1250
King County is the largest government in the United States to pilot the same energy-tracking system that Microsoft uses to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions at many of its buildings. Seattle-based design firm MacDonald-Miller will install the software at no cost to taxpayers at five King County facilities for a two-year pilot project.
Executive Dow Constantine announced a two-year pilot project that will make King County the largest government in the United States to use a new energy tracking system that Microsoft uses to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.
The energy tracking software will be installed at five King County buildings and will provide maintenance staff with real-time analytics that help them operate the facilities more efficiency, identify HVAC problems faster, and better prioritize maintenance work.
Employees can spend less time identifying the cause of a heating or air-conditioning problem and more time fixing it.
“My commitment to creating the best-run government in the United States includes taking advantage of emerging technology that makes our operations more efficient,” said Executive Constantine. “This innovative partnership will reduce our energy consumption, our electricity bills, and our carbon emissions, all at no cost to local taxpayers.”
Seattle-based contracting firm MacDonald-Miller will install the system for the pilot project at no charge to King County at five locations, including the Executive’s office building, transit facilities, and a wastewater treatment plant.
The five locations are:
Chinook Building in downtown Seattle
Brightwater Center in Woodinville
Bow Lake Recycling & Transfer Station in Tukwila
Ryerson Transit Base in Seattle
East Transit Base in Bellevue
The energy tracking software was developed by ICONICS Inc. using Microsoft’s cloud-based platform.
“We’re thrilled to be working with King County to showcase how technology solutions from Microsoft Partners can be used to reduce energy consumption in public buildings,” said Rob Bernard, chief environmental and cities strategist at Microsoft. “As we work with cities around the world to reduce their carbon footprints and address climate change, King County’s efforts are an ideal example of how investing in information and data as a resource can make all types of buildings more efficient.”
Microsoft found that some of its greatest energy savings have actually come from LEED-certified buildings that had not been maintained and operated in a way that maximizes the energy-efficient design.
King County energy tracking software
King County staff will be able to spend less time identifying the cause of problems and more time fixing them.
“This diagnostic tool will do for the efficient operations of buildings what an MRI does for healthcare. On a single dashboard, building operators will be able to see vital information about energy use that will make the invisible visible and provide the tools for action to reduce energy waste,” said Perry England, vice president of building performance at MacDonald-Miller.
“We are proud to play a part in helping King County achieve the goal of operational excellence. Not only will this program reduce the carbon pollution impact of buildings on our environment it will also save money that can be invested back into the local economy,” said England.
The pilot project builds upon the progress King County has made during Executive Constantine’s administration to make operations more efficient. Over the past five years, King County has reduced its annual energy costs by nearly $3 million.
“ICONICS is proud to be part of the King County Smart Buildings initiative. As the winner of the 2014 Microsoft Public Sector CityNext Partner of the Year and Sustainability Partner of the Year awards, ICONICS with its partners, MacDonald-Miller and Microsoft, are uniquely positioned to provide advanced energy smart building solutions to King County,” said Russ Agrusa, president and CEO of ICONICS. “Built on the power of Microsoft Azure cloud technology, we are confident this energy management and continuous commissioning solution will have a great impact in the state of Washington and King County.”
The project also supports two of Executive Constantine’s top priorities: creating the nation’s best-run government and confronting climate change.