San Diego, CA: Energy performance

Better Buildings Challenge Partners strive to decrease portfolio-wide source energy use intensity (EUI) and to increase the percent improvement compared to a set baseline. San Diego's portfolio consists of almost 700 facilities and over 7.5 million square feet. San Diego has improved energy performance by 11% from a 2011 baseline, making progress towards a goal of 20% by 2023. The City has increased its building portfolio through acquisition of new buildings and additions to existing buildings by approximately 800,000 square feet from 2011 to 2016.  Energy savings projects, including lighting retrofits, HVAC upgrades, and controls, are being planned and implemented across selected properties. Renewable energy installations such as solar photovoltaics are also being evaluated and will be installed on selected properties. The City is beginning to undertake new smart building initiatives, including energy management systems and zero net energy buildings. 

Looking at the percent improvement in energy performance across all properties can provide insight into how an organization is saving energy.  San Diego has achieved energy performance improvement of greater than 15% at 16 of its properties. There are 20 properties that have experienced an increase in Source EUI. These properties have been targeted for further review and for potential energy efficiency improvements and/or renewable energy investments.

Property-level energy performance metrics, including EUI and percent improvement to date, are critical to track progress over time and identify opportunities for additional energy savings. San Diego's portfolio consists of properties with a wide range of baseline EUI values, most of which are from 25 to 200 kBtu/sq. ft. The majority of properties have shown energy improvement since 2011. The properties located near or below the 0% axis may present good opportunities for further savings.