Category: Connexus Magazine

Connex2019 Keynote Speaker Mel Robbins gets to the heart of motivation and leadership. 

This year’s National Conference was an enlightening and invigorating experience for all who attended, but it wasn’t just because of the exciting unveiling of the new Connex brand. It was also thanks to the dynamic and empowering keynote address by Mel Robbins. The bestselling author and world-renowned public speaker inspired the Connex audience, explaining how, with simple changes, people can harness anxiety and self-doubt to transform their personal and professional lives. 

Just 10 years ago, Robbins told the audience, she was in a rut. She was unemployed, her marriage was falling apart and she had issues with alcohol abuse. “I had trouble even getting out of bed every morning, day after day hitting the snooze button on my alarm to delay living my life,” she explained. 

But one evening while watching television, she had an epiphany. “I looked at the TV and saw a rocket preparing to blast off,” she said. “I heard the countdown — 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 — and thought, that’s it. This is what my life needs.” The next morning, she used this countdown to propel herself out of bed. She repeated this countdown daily, using it not only to get out of bed, but to address other issues in her life, like managing her moods and finding the motivation to cold call potential employers. 

Since then, she has expanded on this idea, developing what she terms the “5 Second Rule.” The premise is simply this: Whenever you’re faced with a decision, you have five seconds to act on it before your brain naturally tries to shut it down. Your mind will come up with excuses as to why the action isn’t worth it. 

Following this simple mantra, she said, can help you create major changes in your life. But it’s not easy.  The thought of change can be scary — and many people turn their sense of fear into anger. “It’s so much easier to be angry than afraid. It’s so much easier to complain than to force yourself to try and fix something,” Robbins said. 

A strategy to overcome this fear and anger is to convince your brain you’re feeling something else. Translating certain negative emotions into more motivating and positive ones is a major part of Robbins’ philosophy. She explained how both feelings of anxiety and excitement bring about the same physiological changes in your body. The key difference is how your brain perceives these feelings. Robbins detailed a study conducted by Harvard Medical School that proved this concept. The study showed that during several different challenging situations, including standardized tests, track meets and negotiations, people who were able to convince themselves to be excited rather than nervous performed significantly better during that task. 

But Robbins’ advice on making positive changes didn’t stop there. She also detailed how to grow your career and become an effective leader. “There’s only one behavior change that correlates to you making more money, getting a promotion or getting the credit you deserve, and that is whether or not your contributions are visible,” she elaborated. 

If you’re already leading people, Robbins explained how you can better motivate people and improve productivity. She terms this “being a fan.” 

Robbins explained that all people have an underlying want and need to be noticed — to know what they’re doing matters. The simple act of cheering for people, acknowledging their accomplishments and encouraging them to keep striving for greatness, is essential for any great leader, and in turn, any team. The law of reciprocity applies here, too. “If you make people feel like they matter, they will return the favor,” she said. 

If you follow the tips and tricks Robbins laid out, you may be able to change and grow in your professional and personal life. To take off like a rocket, all you may need is a simple countdown — 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. That could be the catalyst to you actualizing the dreams you were afraid to realize. 

Five-Second Science 

According to bestselling author Mel Robbins, those with a cynical mind may be wary of the idea that inspirational and willpower-based thinking is a cure-all that will lead to important life changes. But what if science was on your side? Robbins explained that part of the internal battle of stress versus excitement is a chemical process in the brain. 

Cortisol is a hormone that is released in your body whenever you have feelings of nervousness or stress. The prefrontal cortex is the part of your brain that is involved in executive decision making. This includes problem-solving, self-control and what we generally deem as rational thought. 

When cortisol hits this area of your brain, your ability to think critically and remember important information is compromised. However, scientists have found that if you trick your brain into thinking you’re excited rather than nervous, you can essentially cut off the flow of cortisol to the prefrontal cortex, leaving it unaffected. 

This allows you to have rational thinking patterns during a normally stressful situation, so you can solve problems and plan long-term goals effectively. Thinking this way could be the first step on the road to self-improvement and meaningful life advance­ments.  

According to motivational speaker Mel Robbins, whenever you’re faced with a decision, you have five seconds to act on it before your brain naturally tries to shut it down.

 

Members aim high and reach wide during final PRSM National Conference. 

Not even a late-spring snowstorm could stop the final PRSM National Conference from being a major success. From changing the branding of the association from PRSM to Connex, to the motivational keynote address by Mel Robbins, members rocked the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center for three days. 

From across the nation, members arrived early to participate in the PRSM Foundation Top Golf tournament and tour cannabis store operations as well as the Denver Broncos stadium. 

Action ramped up Monday morning as more than 100 attendees participated in the PRSM Foundation Impact project benefiting the Volunteers of America Family Motel. In the afternoon, a snowstorm rolled in during the Opening Reception, but the cold white stuff didn’t put a chill on the action as members used the latest high-tech gadget — a business card clicker — to make more than 60,000 connections that were immediately uploaded to their personal conference app. 

Tuesday morning, the General Session included the association’s annual meeting presentation and a transfer of association power, as Jonathan Bauer, Sr. Director Store Development, Gap Inc. and PRSM Board Chair for the last two years, handed over the reins to Myriah Kingen, Director, Facilities Management, DaVita Kidney Care, the incoming Board Chair for Connex 2019-2020. The new Connex 2019-2020 Board was also introduced. 

The session was highlighted by world-renowned speaker and author Mel Robbins. She helped the audience learn how to use her now famous 5-Second Rule to make better business and personal decisions, break bad habits and take their lives to a new level. 

At the end of the General Session, CEO Bill Yanek rolled out the biggest change in the association’s history, announcing that PRSM will now be known as Connex. The branding change was a six-month process directed by the Board of Directors and staff involving extensive member and industry research. The rebranding process was highlighted in the inaugural special issue of Connexus magazine delivered in early May. 

During the Awards Luncheon, the PRSM 2019 industry awards were presented to outstanding companies and individuals that have contributed to the success of the industry and the association. 

Between the General Session and Awards Luncheon, the Retail Quick Connect provided suppliers the opportunity to meet with dozens of retailers in person in a speed-dating setting that maximizes the networking process, providing easy access to Connex retailers. 

The Exhibition Hall opened Tuesday afternoon filled with more than 400 exhibitors, all ready to meet with the hundreds of retailers attending the conference. Special Power Session presentations on a variety of topics attracted attendees to stay on the show floor. 

The Exhibition concluded Wednesday afternoon with a Grand Prize drawing at the Lennox booth that saw Ashley Briones-Oliveros win a 36-month lease on a Ford EcoSport. 

Wednesday’s schedule was also packed with dozens of educational sessions covering a wide range of FM topics, from avoiding safety fines, to effective selling, energy efficiency case studies, leadership tips by Drew Dudley, TCO for HVAC systems, financing company growth and others. 

Wednesday’s daytime schedule concluded with the special Women in FM Chocolate and Champagne reception, attended by more than 200 members. 

As the sun set behind the Colorado Rockies, Connex members wrapped up the conference at the closing event featuring music by Wash Park, dancing and truly unique body marbling experience where members could get colorful temporary tattoos. 

This was the final PRSM National Conference. The event has served members well for almost a quarter century. Make plans now to attend Connex2020 National Conference at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, Orlando, Florida, April 20–22, 2020. Connex2020 promises to be bigger and better as Connex expands its influence across the multi-site FM industry.  (For more on the Connex rebranding, read the Special Issue of Connexus online at connexfm.com/connexus.) 

 

Learn more online!

For more information on Connex and the new face of the association, visit connexfm.com.

Expert tips and considerations for installing vehicle charging stations. 

As more consumers switch from gas-powered vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs), one problem has cropped up: Where can EVs refuel? While gas stations have long been a feature of the American landscape, electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) — or charging stations — have been few and far between. But that is changing. 

Because retailers have to be attuned to the emerging needs of consumers, installing charging stations is an opportunity to offer an amenity at relatively little cost while bringing in a highly desirable customer base. On average, EV drivers have twice the national average income, are green-minded and highly educated. Moreover, they tend to spend more time shopping while their cars are charging. 

The pressure for EV charging stations comes from several different directions. National retail chains like Walgreens and Whole Foods offer EV charging at many of their locations. IKEA will be installing EVSE along with rooftop solar panels at its newest San Antonio store, and Comcast is combining a solar-paneled, 180-car carport with EV charging at its Manchester, New Hampshire, district office. States with serious green initiatives, like Hawaii and California, are mandating the installation of EV charging stations. And automakers are steadily increasing the percentage of EVs in its offerings; Audi’s Super Bowl ad this year featured their electric SUV and the promise that a third of its American fleet would be electric by 2025. 

How EVSE Helps Retailers 

Allowing drivers to charge vehicles is another entry point for customer-retailer interaction. Tom Bennett, President of Energy Services for Lane Valente Industries, a supplier and installer of EV charging stations, explained that EV charging stations can be configured in a variety of ways to ensure both the store and the customer benefit. Networked charging stations provide the retailer an array of options for customers to pay for charging or earn buyer loyalty points. 

“The EVSE presents a win-win for the retailer,” Bennett said, even with the upfront installation costs. “A major Midwest-based retailer spent about $8 million on store interior improvements to get an additional $1 per customer transaction, while the loyalty-based average for EV charging earned $5 per transaction. The return on investment was much greater.” 

Installation and Electricity Costs

Bennett said installation costs vary, depending on whether the setup occurs with new construction or in an established site. At an existing small-box store in a suburban setting, installation will require cutting into the sidewalk and/or drive to run conduit to the main panel, then placement of charging ports. Two ports cost about $7,000 and the construction $3,000, for a total of about $10,000. That cost could bump up to $14,000 to $15,000 for an in-line store with the electrical panel at the rear, because the conduit will have to run through the store, usually along the ceiling, then out front. 

Based on national average electricity costs, the charging stations will use pennies’ worth of energy daily. When one assumes a $0.10/kWh (national average) electricity rate, a one-hour charging session dispenses $0.66 of electricity. 

Controlling access to chargers is also built in. Just like standard parking meters, timers can limit the charging session for each user, which can be “enforced” by charging a parking fee beyond the set period. Timers can also shut down power after business hours. In fact, networked charging stations can be monitored and programmed individually, at a specific location or nationally with relative ease. 

As they say, location is everything, and the same can be said for placement of EVSE. Balance the needs of the customer base when considering where charging stations will be installed. They should be in a well-lit area, beyond ADA spaces but grouped conveniently near the entrance. For facilities in a shopping center, stations can be located in a centralized area in the parking lot.  

As Bennett explained, having EVSE associated with a retailer “sends the right message” to a desirable, green-aware customer base. Managers of shopping centers with charging stations could also see a boost with prospective tenants who see them as an attractive feature. In addition, the stations themselves can serve as marketing kiosks: Just as video monitors on gas pumps promote items, similarly equipped charging stations can alert customers regarding store (or EV-driver-only!) product specials. 

With a little research, facility managers can offer management a program for EV charging stations, which could become a key differentiator for the retailer.  

 

Because retailers have to be attuned to the emerging needs of consumers, installing charging stations is an opportunity to offer an amenity at relatively little cost while bringing in a highly desirable customer base. On average, EV drivers have twice the national average income, are green-minded and highly educated. Moreover, they tend to spend more time shopping while their cars are charging.

 
Don’t Fight the Power—Embrace It.   

Facility managers recommending installation of EV charging stations should keep these factors in mind:

• EVSE does not need to be installed in prime parking locations, but ports should be clustered in an EV charging area.
• Distinguish between EV charging and EV parking — signage matters.
• Consider limiting charge time to appropriate shopping timeframes — e.g., two hours — then set a parking fee to discourage squatting.
• Use a PCI-compliant credit card system and link EV charging to loyalty programs.
• Especially in new construction, consider adding charging stations to the employee parking area. 

  By: Myrna Traylor

 

Target is making progress toward its ambitious goal of generating cleaner energy for store operations.

Retailers are leading the way when it comes to corporate solar adoption in the United States. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), nine of the top 10 corporate solar users in 2017 were retailers or mall owners. (Note: 2018 figures aren’t yet available.) 

Target topped this list of solar energy adopters for the second year in a row by having installed more than 203.48 megawatts (MWs) of solar capacity. (In some cases, Target sells the renewable energy credits generated by such solar capacity.*) 

The retailer completed its first three solar installations on stores in the Los Angeles area in 2003 but ramped up its solar program in 2014. “As part of our goal to operate with 100 percent renewable energy, in addition to other efforts, we will have rooftop solar panels on 500 Target buildings nationwide by 2020,” said John Leisen, the company’s Vice President of Property Management. 

By the end of 2017, the retailer was making good progress toward its goal of 500 onsite installations, when it had 436 solar projects completed. 

The installations are now operating on about one-quarter of Target’s 1,800 stores, spread across 20 states from California to Massachusetts to Texas and even to Target’s snowy home state of Minnesota. The total megawatt hours supplied by these installations could power more than 26,000 homes with clean energy. 

By investing in solar to meet some of its energy needs, Target is creating cleaner operations and a healthier environment for its team members and guests, Leisen said. 

“One of the big benefits is that financially it helps us reduce our energy costs; a roof with solar can generate, on average, an amount equal to about 30 percent of a store’s electric needs over the course of a year. So there’s a financial driver on top of the environmental win,” Leisen continued. 

Location, Location, Location 

Target has an integrated property management team that’s responsible for solar installations for its locations. The company representatives come from all levels of the organization, from headquarters to the individual stores. They work closely with the solar providers and the utilities in each area.  

Factors that determine which stores receive solar installations include the availability of sunlight in an area and the estimated value of the energy the panels can offset. The team also looks at each building’s structural characteristics, including roof type and age and existing electrical equipment. It’s been a learning process. 

“We had a few situations early on where roof maintenance became a little more complex, but all in all it’s been a really rewarding experience for us across the board,” Leisen said. 

Once installed, the solar panels are relatively low maintenance. “You just make sure they’re clean and operating efficiently,” he continued. The systems Target installed in 2003 in Los Angeles are still operating today, but the newer solar technologies provide a lot more energy. 

To reduce overall energy usage, Target has incorporated improvements like efficient HVAC and low-wattage lighting systems into its stores. (The company is ENERGY STAR certified in more than 1,500 stores.) These systems are controlled by smart building energy management systems. Any excess power generated by Target’s solar installations is transferred back to the grid, unless there are specific local or utility requirements that prohibit sharing. 

To investigate the best way to retain some of the power for its own use, Target installed energy storage systems in nine sites across California and Hawaii and is evaluating their performance. These battery storage systems work in conjunction with the solar panels and/or with the electrical grid system.

“In partnership with SunPower, we installed our first combined solar and solar-powered battery storage project in Kona, Hawaii, which provided more than 40 percent of the Kona store’s energy,” Leisen said. At the end of 2017, six of Target’s seven stores in Hawaii had rooftop solar panels. 

Beyond Panels 

Solar rooftop installations aren’t the only way retailers can become part of the green energy movement. Target, which plans to one day source 100 percent of its electricity needs from renewable resources for its domestic operations, is part of several larger-scale solar and wind projects. Its purchase of wind energy generated by the Stephens Ranch project in Texas offsets the energy used at 60 Target stores. In Kansas, energy from the Solomon Forks wind farm project, which will be launched this summer, will offset 150 stores’ energy usage. 

Target is also part of Puget Sound Energy’s Green Direct program in Washington state, which is building new wind and solar power installations to provide power to local government and commercial customers, including Target, Walmart and REI.  

Moving toward full adoption of renewable energy resources requires the support, insight and engagement of Target’s stakeholders and partners, Leisen said. “They understand that to make a significant impact, we must think beyond the short-term. We’re designing for the future by putting renewable energy solutions, like solar, in place across our business to support our communities and leave the planet better for future families.” what   

*In some cases, Target may generate solar energy in support of utility and state clean energy programs and policies. In those instances, Target does not retain the renewable energy credits (RECs). According to the EPA, RECs represent the property rights to the environmental, social and other non-power attributes of renewable electricity generation. One REC is issued for each megawatt hour (MWh) of electricity generated and delivered to the electricity grid from

a renewable energy resource. 

 

Top Corporate Solar Users 2017 

From the Solar Energy Industries Association:

1. Target
2. Walmart
3. Prologis (logistics real estate)
4. Apple
5. Kohl’s
6. Costco
7. General Growth Properties
8. Ikea
9. Macy’s
10. Amazon

 

Five Tips for Adding Solar Power 

Thinking about going solar? John Leisen, Vice President of Property Management at Target, offers these tips: 

1. Start with a clear goal.
   Establish a goal supported by your company, as this will help drive future development and serve as a compass for the organization. Target set a goal of having solar installations on 500 locations by 2020. “We wanted to make a clear and simple statement; it’s something everyone can align on,” Leisen said. 
2. Evaluate locations effectively.
   Make sure you understand the limitations you might face at any location. Do you have the property rights to install solar panels on a particular store? Evaluate the current roof: How is it constructed? How old is it? Will you have to replace or repair it in the near future? Will you be able to perform maintenance easily once solar panels are installed? All of these should factor into your decision. 
3. Build for the future.
   Think beyond current energy needs, because they may change quite a bit based on a particular store’s operations. Looking at future energy requirements can help you determine the appropriate size for your solar installation. 
4. Partner with a proven solar developer.
   The solar industry is complex. It’s important you work with a solar developer in each area who has a strong track record and is familiar with the local market along with the utility you’ll be dealing with. 
5. Take a team approach.

“It’s a big undertaking to install rooftop solar systems and make them operational, and it takes a wide range of partners and team members across your company,” Leisen said. “It’s important to have an integrated property management team, from headquarters to the store level, that can work hand-in-hand on these projects.”

Any excess power generated by Target’s solar installations is transferred back to the grid, unless there are specific local or utility requirements that prohibit that sharing.

By: Mary Lou Jay 

In the face of rising energy costs, battery storage can make retailers more resilient, more sustainable and more profitable.

Faced with increased operating costs and pressure from environmentally conscious consumers, retailers have spent the better part of two decades trying to reduce their energy footprints. They’ve replaced traditional lighting with LEDs, installed energy management systems and spent millions updating HVAC systems. And yet, utility costs still constitute 35 percent of the typical retailer’s operating costs, according to the Connex 2018 Dynamic Benchmarking Report. 

Clearly, energy efficiency is not enough. To impact their bottom line, retailers must expand their energy aperture to focus on not only on decreasing energy consumption, but also on increasing energy storage — capturing energy from the grid when it’s cheap, storing it in onsite batteries, then using it when energy is expensive. 

“We see energy storage growing to a point where it is equivalent to 7 percent of the total installed power capacity globally in 2040,” said Logan Goldie-Scot, Head of Energy Storage at Bloomberg NEF, which predicts energy storage will attract $620 billion in investment over the next two decades. 

One reason analysts are so bullish on energy storage is “faster-than-expected falls in storage system costs,” according to Bloomberg NEF, which said prices for one popular battery type, lithium-ion, fell by 18 percent in 2018 alone. That has made battery storage an affordable and intriguing new option for retailers that need to shed some extra energy weight. 

Strategic Storage

The typical battery storage system consists of a refrigerator-sized inverter that converts raw power into usable electricity, a microwave- sized controller that regulates the battery-charging process and a 10-foot-by-4-foot battery that can be supplemented with additional batteries in a modular fashion to generate incrementally more power for facilities that need it. 

“A starter system is very small but can grow significantly depending on your needs,” explained Jay Frankhouser, Senior Director of Product Management and Marketing for Energy Storage at EnerSys, a stored energy solutions provider based in Reading, Pennsylvania. He said battery storage systems can be installed inside, on the roof or even in parking lots, where retailers sometimes store them inside 20- or 40-foot shipping containers. 

Regardless of their size or locations, systems work the same. “In simple terms, they capture energy from the grid when energy costs are low and they store it in a battery,” Frankhouser said. “Then, the control system can use that stored energy either when there’s a power outage or when energy costs are high.” 

Users who rely on battery storage during power outages use it as an alternative or a complement to traditional generators, ensuring resiliency in case of blackouts or brownouts. Those who use it to manage energy costs, on the other hand, count on battery storage for flexibility. In both cases, batteries typically provide enough electricity to power a facility for two to four hours. 

“It allows you to decide when you want to purchase energy from the utility or when you want to provide your own energy,” Frankhouser continued. “A lot of areas now charge $1 per kilowatt hour or more at certain times of day when demand is high. With battery storage, you can decide during those times not to buy energy from the utility.” 

That’s good not only for energy customers, but also for energy providers. To ensure service during peak hours, the latter must increase their generating capacity; often, this means bringing older, more expensive power generation equipment online. Because that increases operating expenses, utilities often offer incentives to customers who reduce energy consumption during peak hours. 

“It’s called demand response,” Frankhouser explained. “A utility can call on customers to curtail usage in exchange for an incentive. And if you have an energy storage system, your usage could drop to zero, in which case your utility might actually pay you to use your stored energy instead of the grid.” 

It’s a triple win: Energy customers avoid peak charges, receive an incentive when they participate in demand response programs and, finally, could be eligible for yet another incentive if they use battery storage alongside solar panels. 

“Many areas are adding additional incentives for solar,” Frankhouser said. “So if you can pair solar with storage, in many cases the incentives can be even better.” 

The result is as good for the environment as it is for the bottom line, which yields returns for companies with financial as well

as social objectives. 

Retailers Get ‘Charged’ 

Many retailers experimenting with battery storage have seen promising results. As of 2018, for example, grocer Whole Foods had 60 stores and facilities with rooftop solar installations, some of which also have battery storage systems. A case study from Millbrae, California-based energy storage provider, Stem, cites seven such stores. Located in California and Hawaii, they collectively will save Whole Foods $513,970 in energy costs over the next 10 years, according to Stem. 

“I would say [energy storage] is probably the single biggest game changer in terms of new technology coming to distributed energy management,” Whole Foods Global Director, Energy Management, Aaron Daly told Stem. “It’s going to have a profound impact on our business, and even more so, on the energy industry at large in the utility space. It’s going to completely change the economics of power production and procurement.” 

Another Stem customer is Bed Bath & Beyond, which has been using battery storage since 2015, according to Stem. The retailer, it said, has four stores with battery storage that are expected to save it $143,910 in energy costs over the next 10 years. 

A third Stem case study features JCPenney, which as of 2017 had 26 California stores with battery storage installations, according to the company. JCPenney initially installed battery storage in 2015 at nine of those stores, which in their first year saved the company over $40,000. When they installed battery storage in 2016, the 17 additional stores were expected to save the company another $60,500 per year, bringing the company’s total annual energy savings to $103,000. Over a 10-year period, that’s over $1 million. 

“[JCPenney] has engineered what industry analysts have called a ‘remarkable turnaround,’” Stem reported in its case study. “Faced with relentless online- and discount- driven market pressures that are challenging most retailers, JCPenney … has aggressively cut its selling, general and administrative expenses, which includes controllable store costs such as energy.”

Powering Up 

How much savings any one retailer can expect depends upon the size of their system and the cost of energy in their footprint. But returns can be as high as 50 percent, according to EnerSys. 

The initial cost varies dramatically depending on the building type and how large the system is, but round numbers typically are $500 to $1,000 per kilowatt,” Frankhouser explained. He pointed out that battery storage systems have virtually no operating costs after installation — except for periodic battery replacement, which could take place every five, 10 or 15 years, depending on usage. “Systems typically pay for themselves within two to five years.” 

According to Stem, JCPenney’s systems vary in size from 54 to 108 kilowatts, while Bed Bath & Beyond’s and Whole Foods’ systems are 72 kilowatts and 306 kilowatts, respectively. 

To determine their stores’ unique requirements, Frankhouser said retailers should consult their local utility and/or an energy storage provider. EnerSys, for example, has a proprietary tool that calculates a customer’s needs based on their electric bill. Many utilities, meanwhile, offer consulting services to help customers analyze and optimize their energy profile. Although battery prices may decline further, Frankhouser suggested now is a good time to invest. “At this time, a lot of the potential efficiencies have been realized. So the slope of that pricing curve has really flattened,” he said. “Plus, these are razor-blade systems. If a better razor blade comes along, you can plug that in or add it on in parallel; the base of the equipment stays the same no matter what battery technology you put in.” 

Systems typically use either traditional lead-acid batteries or the newer lithium-ion variety. The former are cheaper and more stable while the latter are smaller, lighter and longer-lasting. For now at least, Frankhouser remains a traditionalist. “We’ve been deploying mostly lead-acid batteries because code officials in some cities are concerned about lithium-ion technology, since its chemistry tends to be a little more volatile,” he said. “Those code officials are probably the biggest challenge we’ve seen with these systems; whatever battery you use, you’re going to have to work with your code officials to make sure they understand what you’re installing since these systems are quite new in most areas.” 

Ultimately, the long-term payoff justifies the short-term effort. 

“You can save money on electricity, you can add to the resiliency of your operation and in some cases you can add a green element to your operation, as well,” Frankhouser concluded. His final piece of advice is: Crawl first, run later. “Start small. You’ll get knowledge, spend less money and gain a lot of confidence. Then, you can always grow your system from there.”  

“I would say [energy storage] is probably the single biggest game changer in terms of new technology coming to distributed energy management.”

—Aaron Daly, Global Director, Energy Management, Whole Foods 

How much savings any one retailer can expect depends upon the size of their system and the cost of energy in their footprint. But returns can be as high as 50 percent, according to EnerSys.

“The initial cost varies dramatically depending on the building type and how large the system is, but round numbers typically are $500 to $1,000 per kilowatt.”

—Jay Frankhouser, Senior Director, Product Management and Marketing for Energy Storage, EnerSys

 By: Matt Alderton 

1. Your Current Rate:
   What are you currently paying for electricity or natural gas? Are you on a variable rate or on a fixed rate? Your energy provider should be able to put together a product that works best for you. 
2. Your Business Plans:
   Do you have leases that may expire? Are you planning on expanding or reducing your operations in a way that may affect your energy consumption? Do you have properties you can aggregate under one contract? Your energy provider should be able to provide a product that addresses your specific business plans.  
3. What Is Included in the Proposed Rate?
   There are many ways energy providers can present rates. You need to ensure that when comparing one provider’s rate to another, you’re comparing apple-to-apples. Such as:
    All reporting needs are included in your pricing schedule
    Overpaying for services you won’t use
4. Contract Expirations and Auto-Renewals:
   Booking a contract when you are already under contract can result in big exit fees. Likewise, letting contracts expire without taking any action can result in unfavorable “holdover” utility rates or undesired auto-renewals 
5. Energy Management Services:
   Consider enlisting an energy consultant to help manage the entire process. Energy consultants do the legwork, vetting energy suppliers and negotiating terms and rates that work best for you. If you have a large portfolio of stores, consider working with an energy management provider that will assist with tracking contracts and negotiating the best rates. Benefits, such as comprehensive reporting, can help assist with benchmarking and market trending. 

Lithium ion batteries may be the power source of the present, but what about the future? With scientists and tech companies constantly searching for more dynamic and efficient energy sources, several innovative solutions are in the works: 

• Wi-Fi antennas—Researchers have developed what they call a rectenna, a radio wave harvesting antenna that can pull energy from Wi-Fi as AC energy and convert it into usable DC power. This antenna, only a few atoms thick, is thin and flexible and can potentially be applied to a wide range of technology, including mobile devices and wearables. 
• Laser-made micro supercapacitors—Scientists at Rice University made a breakthrough with this cost-cutting adaptation by burning electrode patterns into sheets of plastic, decreasing costs and time spent and resulting in a power source that can charge up to 50 times faster than batteries being used today. 
• Phosphorene nanoribbons—University College London researchers have created tiny, individual ribbons made of crystalline phosphorus. These nanoribbons are extremely flexible, can be produced cheaply and can be used as semi-conductors to advance batteries, solar cells and energy storage, among other technologies. 

Paper-polymer batteries—These environmentally friendly, inexpensive and extremely thin batteries are made largely of cellulose, the major ingredient found in paper. Being non-corrosive in nature, they don’t require heavy-duty shells and are extremely flexible, resulting in fuel cells and energy storage being designed smaller and lighter.

Target sets new goal for company and supply chain. 

Target announced a new reduction goal for itself and its entire supply chain on March 27, 2019. The company plans to reduce its absolute Scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30 percent below 2017 levels by 2030. Target is also committing that 80 percent of its suppliers will set science-based reduction targets on their Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2023. Currently, the company estimates 96 percent of GHG emissions related to its business comes from its supply chain. 

“Our new climate goals will reduce our carbon footprint from source to shelf, as we work alongside our partners within our supply chain to lower emissions and help create a better tomorrow,” said Brian Cornell, Chairman and CEO, in a company statement. “We have a responsibility to our guests and the environment to set high expectations and encourage ambitious reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, promoting positive change throughout the industry to have an even greater impact for generations to come.” 

The announcement from the company noted, “The key will be unifying our suppliers around these same goals, whether they’re working with the raw materials that create our products, or they’re manufacturing and transporting those products to our shelves.” 

To reduce its Scope 1 and 2 emissions, Target plans to ramp up investments in renewable energy and energy saving efforts across its business. Among its efforts to date are the installation of LED lights in its buildings, a Texas wind power project that offsets the electricity use of 60 area stores, and the addition of solar rooftop panels at 500 locations by 2020. For more information, read “Going Solar.”

Expert advice for facility managers in need of HVAC assistance. 

Creating a comfortable environment for customers is a basic, yet essential, goal of every business. Walking into a building, consumers expect to enjoy a comfortable, controlled environment. However, people take for granted the amount of work involved — and the complexity of the equipment needed — to create a pleasant atmosphere for customers. As a facility manager (FM), understanding the ins and outs of your store’s HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system is a must. 

Two HVAC experts — Frank Bacchetta, Founder, President and CEO of Total Comfort Group, and Walt Jacobe, York National Accounts Sales Manager with Johnson Controls — shared tips for FMs to consider when evaluating the health of a store’s HVAC system, how to select a good supplier, and what to look for during the installation and maintenance process. 

Defining Your Scope 

The first thing an FM should consider when managing HVACs is how the system will be used and the scope of the needs. “As a facility manager, defining your exact needs and precise requirements is necessary to determining how you should proceed regarding HVAC systems,” Jacobe explained. 

“Different facilities will require different lines of thought when evaluating needs. What exactly ​are the wants and demands of your customer base? Humidity and temperature control are two potential factors that require different HVAC technologies. The hours your business operates is also a significant variable. For example, 24-hour fitness clubs have different requirements than a standard 9-5 business.”

 Identifying a Supplier

 After determining your property’s needs, FMs should look closely at their desires. Businesses and retailers come in all shapes and sizes, based on location, number of properties managed, building dimensions and layouts. One FM may have significantly different needs from another, and thus significantly different options to consider when planning HVAC systems.

 Not only are specific services provided important, but the supplier’s general operations are also important. Not all suppliers provide the same coverage. “Specialization of services is common in the industry. So, FMs must research HVAC suppliers to identify their range of services,” Bacchetta said. “Are they filling a niche role in the industry, like exclusively dealing with filters, or are they providing broader maintenance? Or, are they a full-service company?” 

Identifying the logistics of supplier coverage is essential to the search. “Understanding coverage areas, or service radius, is also necessary,” he added. “While some HVAC companies service small geographic areas, others may provide services across many states or regions. Our company currently does business in 17 states, which could be an enticing benefit for FMs who have storefront responsibilities across several states.”

 Transparency and Trust

Once a supplier is selected, FMs need to stay engaged regarding both maintenance and installations. Verification of services rendered should be the primary concern for any service. “For an HVAC supplier, providing photo documentation of conditions prior to service, along with after the services have been rendered, is necessary to ensure transparency,” Bacchetta said. “The client needs to be aware of and be assured they are receiving exactly what they’re paying for, while validating the work the HVAC company has performed.”

He also stressed the importance of permits. “Permits must be secured for any installation, whether electrical, fire, plumbing or mechanical, to ensure all maintenance or equipment installment is being performed according to industry standards. Third-party inspections certify all work done meets permit standards. This assures the FM of the quality of services received,” he added. “Getting that stamp of approval is necessary, so FMs aren’t spending more later in the process for other services that should have been completed from the start,” Bacchetta continued. “It’s not a trust issue, but rather due diligence performed by all parties. This ensures everyone involved in the work is well-informed and fully transparent.” 

When in doubt, always ask for opinions of other industry experts. “Don’t be afraid to ask for other HVAC contractors’ opinions. Be wary of whom they represent, but typically they are a good judge of character and will steer FMs in the right direction,” Jacobe said. “Soliciting other industry viewpoints not only ensures reliability and quality, but provides evidence that an HVAC supplier has a good reputation and is easy to do business with.”  

Five Searching Tips

Several factors may influence what type of HVAC supplier is best for your business. Walt Jacobe, York National Accounts Sales Manager with Johnson Controls, offered these five tips to help you with your search: 

1. Equipment—“Depending on variables like space constraints or hours of operation of your business, you may decide for or against a certain HVAC model.”
2. Utilities—“Do you have gas? Electric? What are the utility rates relating to the hours of operation of your storefront?”
3. Savings/Rebates—“Select equipment based on efficiency. You may spend more for efficient equipment, but your return on investment will be greater in the future.”
4. Risk factors for equipment location—“Depending on where your system is located, there may be additional risks involved. Having your HVAC on the roof, as opposed to indoors, requires planning and adds safety concerns when performing maintenance, as well as potential exposure to the elements.”
5. Parts/Availability—“Are parts available locally, allowing for quick repairs, or will they have to be shipped?”

Welcome to Connex, the Power of Connection. If you missed our National Conference in Denver, you missed a lot! Most importantly, PRSM is now Connex. This rebrand is a significant plank of our Connex2023 strategic plan. Our new name and brand underscore the cultural shift our association is undergoing toward a culture of innovation. 

Connex’s Culture of Innovation. Building and maintaining a culture of innovation is challenging for an almost 25-year-old organization. In the January/February issue of Harvard Business Review, Gary Pisano discussed “The Hard Truth About Innovative Cultures.” Pisano mapped out challenges to successfully building and maintaining an innovative culture: allowing for the risk of failure, remaining open to experimentation, facilitating collaboration among the team and remaining flat enough to avoid hierarchical bureaucracy. As Connex continues to innovate, we’ll need to keep these hurdles in mind. 

Connexion: Local. Our National Conference will remain the lynchpin of Connex’s event lineup. However, moving forward, what once was the PRSM Mid-Year Conference (MYC) will be replaced by local Connexion events across North America and Canada. This move toward local Connexions was years in the making. Our Connex team considered member feedback, conference attendee feedback, board guidance and industry trends in concluding that Connex member needs would be best served by a local event offering. Your Connex team is aware this is a significant change. And, to make the 2019 local Connexions successful, we’ll have to recognize the challenges Pisano noted and use strategies to mitigate these challenges.  

Balancing the risk of failure with innovation. Moving away from our traditional MYC format is a risk, which must be mitigated by the Connex team executing the events. These new events cannot be a copy of previous association functions. Your Connex team will innovate and tailor Connexions to the local markets where the events will take place.

Remaining open to experimentation. Not all Connexions will look the same. In 2019, Connex will conduct disciplined trials of varied formats in different markets. 

Collaboration will maintain innovation. In developing the local Connexion frameworks, Connex staff relied on member feedback, event planning committees and Connex Board direction. And, as we execute these events in 2019, we’ll monitor feedback to deliver the best possible event experience. Collaboration across Connex event stakeholders will mold our local Connexions

into a powerful part of the Connex event lineup. 

The vision for Connexion: Local. Connex On Demand. In all facets of business and society, customers are calling for services and products on demand. The Connex event lineup should be no different. So, in 2019 and beyond, we are bringing Connex to you — in your market. 

Let’s Connex. I’d love to hear your thoughts about Connex. Email me at byanek@connexfm.com or message me on Twitter @byanek.