Photo courtesy of Ashland Food Cooperative

Sustainability is a priority for Ashland Food Cooperative, like stocking shelves with locally made organic goods. The member-owned organization formally committed to improving its sustainability in 2007 and has since set its sights on becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

To achieve this goal, the co-op teamed up with Energy Trust of Oregon in 2019 to make lasting operational changes that help reduce overall energy usage. Through the Strategic Energy Management (SEM) offering, the co-op has earned more than $80,000 in cash incentives and completed energy-saving actions that have trimmed utility costs by over $6,500 annually.

Chris Byrne and Markus Mager lead the charge, hunting down energy waste, carrying out projects and educating staff on energy-saving habits. “SEM hasn’t just helped our organization become more efficient, it’s also made everyone here more energy aware,” said Mager. “Whether it be turning off the lights or not arbitrarily adjusting thermostat settings, everyone’s doing their part here and at home, too.”

The creation of Byrne and Mager’s roles was a result of the co-op’s commitment to sustainability and enrollment in SEM. Participating in the offering has been key to keeping operations running smoothly and efficiently. Byrne and Mager work closely with an Energy Trust SEM energy coach who provides resources and insight to help set them up for success. “The monthly meetings with our energy coach and the site visits we go on through SEM have made us consider opportunities that we didn’t see before,” said Byrne.

Solving heating and cooling headaches with SEM
Winter once meant staff complaints about the chilly temperatures inside the store. Byrne and Mager tried a few different fixes, but nothing seemed to work. After a group discussion with their SEM cohort, they had a lightbulb moment and realized that smart thermostats could help provide the relief staff were asking for.

The co-op now has Google Nest smart thermostats to control and monitor heating and cooling performance and help pinpoint the cause of staff discomfort. Now, smart thermostats control the co-op’s different zones around the clock and help them plan for seasonal adjustments. “It is so helpful to have real-time information on what’s going on in the building,” said Byrne.

Cooking up savings with induction
When the kitchen’s aging equipment started giving out, Byrne and Mager jumped at the chance to try out a new energy-efficient appliance they learned about through SEM: induction cooktops. Staff now utilize induction cooking in the prepared foods department kitchen.

They also saw this as an opportunity to help others learn more about induction cooking and its benefits. “Now that our classroom kitchen has an induction cooktop, we can actually show the community what it’s like and address their uncertainties about the technology,” said Mager.

Induction cooktops create less ambient heat than traditional equipment. As a result, this upgrade lowers the energy use of the co-op’s heating and cooling system and helps the organization get closer to meeting its sustainability goals.

Strategic Energy Management (SEM): A catalyst for innovation
Businesses and organizations that take part in SEM establish an annual Energy Plan to chart their savings journey. Having a comprehensive plan with specific milestones helps Byrne and Mager keep daily goals front and center. “SEM keeps us on our toes,” said Byrne. “There are so many things going on here, but SEM helps us keep the milestones and O&M projects we want to achieve top of mind.”

The knowledge gained through SEM helps the team spot energy waste more quickly. Trainings Byrne and Mager completed as part of their SEM education taught them exactly what to look for. “When we go on walkthroughs of the property, we have more awareness of what might waste energy,” said Byrne.

Each milestone the co-op reaches motivates Byrne and Mager to aim even higher. “Our work is a continuous process. SEM helps us set a routine and make sure nothing falls through the cracks,” said Byrne. SEM’s structure and milestone incentives make it easier to dedicate resources to energy-efficiency improvements. “Having defined outcomes has helped our organization move forward,” said Mager.

Want to learn how Energy Trust’s SEM offering can help you save on utility costs and modernize your equipment? Contact us for details.