Watt's your idea?

Last fall, the Laboratory launched its 9 percent annual energy reduction campaign. Along with this, the Lab has been putting into practice institution-wide measures to help conserve resources, limit emissions and enhance energy security.

To spark additional interest, a fun energy-saving competition "Every Watt Counts" kicked off in February and is currently under way. Employees can form teams in their work areas and vie for awards.

The three team types are centered around buildings’ electrical metering: individually metered buildings or primary buildings with more than 90 percent of the gross square feet (GSF) separately metered; groups of buildings metered together that fall at least 90 percent within a single principal directorate (PD); and mustang groups in areas that cross principal directorates, but share common metering.

Judging will occur through September, and awards will be announced quarterly.

The Lab’s Energy Management Program reports that the February electric usage report (by buildings) has been sent to the associate director facility managers and PD energy champions. In addition, for the PD energy savings competition, the February results for electrical energy intensity and percentage of savings relative to the trailing three months average have been tabulated and sent to the energy champions. The first quarterly award is expected to be announced in April.

What’s your bright idea? There’s still time to shed light on ways to reduce energy and conserve resources. Complete the form and send it to LLNL’s Energy Management Program at L-604. Remember: Every watt counts.