FEMP Digest: December Newsletter

Hungry to learn more about what's happening at FEMP? ?? Sign up to have our newsletter delivered right to your inbox.

?? News and Updates

We're Wrapping Up an Incredible Year

In 2024, FEMP strengthened its efforts to equip the Federal workforce with the tools and expertise needed to ensure efficient, clean, secure, and resilient energy use in facilities and fleets. These efforts enable Federal facilities to continue leading in energy reduction while saving taxpayer dollars.

It was a year of historic milestones for FEMP.?To name a few:

• FEMP selected 98 Federal projects to receive a record amount of funding to help agencies implement energy- and cost-efficient measures and make progress toward meeting Federal goals.
• 70?individuals, programs, and projects were honored through our recognition programs.
• More than?2,700 Federal energy management professionals joined FEMP in Pittsburgh, PA for Energy Exchange where more than 80 trainings were offered that covered topics spanning all phases of energy management.

Read more of FEMP’s 2024 highlights below.

Federal Agency Leaders Celebrate Historic Funding Effort

On October 30, more than 75 agency leaders convened at DOE Headquarters to mark a historic milestone in Federal energy leadership. The announcement revealed the selection of a record?67 Federal facility projects?under the?AFFECT program.

The event featured distinguished speakers, including Federal Chief Sustainability Officer Andrew Mayock, Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Infrastructure Kathleen Hogan, FEMP Director Mary Sotos, and FEMP Deputy Director Anna Siefken.

Read more about the selected projects and?why Federal leaders are celebrating this historic investment below.

DOE Scholar Alum Agustin Martinez Returns to Aerospace Roots

One of the best ways to understand the impact of the DOE Scholars Program is to hear from our past participants. We recently caught up with U.S. Army veteran Agustin Martinez who participated in a recent cohort.

Learn how his experience working for the U.S. Department of the Interior gave him the career boost he needed to excel in the military and the private sector.

Technology Changes, but Energy-Efficiency Principles Remain Steadfast in Data Center Design

Data centers are the heartbeat that keep a flow of information pumping through our public and private sectors. To process mountains of data in mere seconds—and keep cool while doing it—data centers consume massive amounts of energy. FEMP and experts from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) created the?Best Practices Guide for Energy-Efficient Data Center Design to address concerns about data center efficiency.?Read about the key takeaways?from this guide.?

?? Tools and Resources

Forrestal Fast-Tracks 24 EV Charging Ports With Charging as a Service

The 1.7-million-ft2?Forrestal building in Washington, D.C., houses hundreds of DOE staff. To support electric vehicle (EV) charging for the increasing number of zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) in its fleet and provide on-site charging for its employees, DOE wanted to expand the number of EV charging stations.

To better understand its options, DOE teamed up with an NREL team to conduct a thorough assessment. Based on this analysis, DOE opted to lease 24 new charging ports in the Forrestal parking garage.?Learn more about the Forrestal assessment.

Energy-Efficient Product Purchasing Made Easy

Are you in the process of purchasing new products? FEMP recently updated our energy-efficient product purchasing guidance. Learn more about covered heating, cooling, and water-efficient products.?

FEMP considers initial costs and operational costs when setting required efficiency levels. Federal purchasers can assume products that meet FEMP-designated efficiency requirements are life cycle cost-effective.?FEMP's new Take 5 training series video breaks down how to calculate life cycle costs to ensure that products are cost effective. A product is considered cost-effective when the lifetime energy savings exceeds the additional up-front cost , if any, compared to a less efficient option.

New Updates to the Investment Grade Audit Tool

We have released a new version of the ESPC ENABLE Investment Grade Audit (IGA) tool. Compatible with the latest versions of Excel, Windows, and EnergyPlus; the updated ESPC ENABLE IGA tool enhances stability and restores the functionality of the original tool. For more information, visit the Federal Energy Management Program Investment Grade Audit Tool webpage.