New Detroit Energy Challenge
Detroit Energy Challenge Recognizes Owners for Reduced Energy & Water Use in Buildings across the City
Detroit Energy Challenge Partners (from left): Tremaine Phillips, Michigan Public Service Commission; Peggy Matta, Detroit 2030 District; Alison Jaworowski, DTE; Al Hildreth, General Motors; Connie Lilley, Detroit 2030 District; Cheri Holman, Michigan Battle of the Buildings; Morgan Pokora, Michigan Battle of the Buildings; Nishaat Killeen, City of Detroit; Joel Howrani Heeres, City of Detroit.
Starting a conversation about your building operations can put you at an advantage. There is no shortage of benefits in managing energy and water consumption in commercial buildings. One size does not fit all, and with strategic planning technological advancement, and benchmarking, energy management can be optimized to adapt to your building. The Detroit Energy Challenge launched on February 27, 2020, intends to facilitate these conversations inside the city and advance potential while instilling a sense of friendly competition and camaraderie.
The Launch of the Detroit Energy Challenge
A strategic collaboration between the City of Detroit, Detroit 2030 District and the U.S. Green Building Council of West Michigan, the Detroit Energy Challenge builds off the popular Michigan Battle of the Buildings that hails as the only state-wide energy & water competition in the country since organized in 2014. The 1,175 competitor buildings represent a substantial 233 million square feet of Michigan’s built environment. Together they have avoided 137,355 metric tons of carbon and saved 14.1 million dollars over 5 years.
“The Detroit Energy Challenge is a great way for building owners to save operating expenses, foster healthier indoor environments for employees and residents, and to play an important part in reducing our emissions. I would like to personally challenge all Detroit building owners to be a part of this exciting challenge!”
- Joel Howrani Heeres, Director of Sustainability for the City of Detroit
The Detroit Energy Challenge kicked off at an event hosted by the Detroit 2030 District at the LEED Gold Certified TCF Center in Downtown Detroit. The evening was a reflection of the effort of many individuals and organizations working to reduce Michigan’s carbon emissions. The speakers that evening hailed the benefits and offered helpful insights for winning. Speakers included Connie Lilley of the Detroit 2030 District, Joel Howrani Heeres of the City of Detroit, Cheri Holman of Michigan Battle of the Buildings (USGBC-WM), Al Hildreth of General Motors, Alison Jaworowski of DTE, and Tremaine Phillips of the Michigan Public Service Commission.
How it Works
Competitors of the Detroit Energy Challenge and Michigan Battle of the Buildings work from their own prior year baseline energy & water use. During the year-long competition, they will measure performance using the free EnergyStar Portfolio Manager online tool and consider energy conservation strategies like modifying occupant behavior, examining time of day schedules or updating inefficient equipment while taking advantage of the benefits of reduced monthly energy bills. The buildings with the highest percentage reduction of energy in their category will be recognized at the Spring 2021 award ceremony in Detroit.
The Detroit 2030 District, a partner of the challenge, is offering local, in-person support to Detroit’s competitors. Attend the first Energy Star Portfolio Manager Workshop on March 26, 2020, at Walker Miller Energy Services with EcoWorks. Register for this training here.
Two Competitions, Twice the Recognition
New Detroit Energy Challenge participants have the opportunity to maximize recognition and incentives with dual enrollment in the state-wide Michigan Battle of the Buildings. Any buildings in Detroit that are already participating in Michigan Battle of the Buildings are automatically enrolled in the Detroit Energy Challenge. Winners of the Michigan Battle of the Buildings are celebrated each year at the Michigan Energy Summit in Grand Rapids. The next Michigan Energy Summit takes place on April 21, 2020, featuring a full-day opportunity for peer-based learning and concluding with recognition of the 2019 Battle of the Buildings’ biggest losers.
There is no cost to participate in the Detroit Energy Challenge. Learn more and enroll your building(s) at www.michiganbattleofthebuildings.org/detroit