Energy Technical Assistance to Public Entities

Supported and Managed by the State Energy Office, 
NC Department of Commerce

WRP - Qualified Technical Assistance (TA) Provider

In December 2009,  Waste Reduction Partners was named as a qualified provider of energy technical assistance to public organizations across the state of North Carolina.  WRP volunteers and staff engineers, working from numerous field offices across the state, will be providing no-cost technical assistance services paid for by the NC Department of Commerce’s State Energy Office.  Thirty-six other energy consulting groups also were qualified by the state to provide this assistance.

How to Request Assistance:

Public organizations must request these energy technical assistance services though the State Energy Office.  Please download the Request for Technical Assistance form and fax it to Richard Self at (919) 733-2953 or e-mail form to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You must list your preferred technical assistance provider on this form.  SEO staff also has been requesting organizations to complete a utility cost spreadsheet  (single site or multiple sites) before assigning the technical assistance provider.

Assistance Available – Supported through SEO

Preliminary Energy Surveys

A Preliminary Energy Survey is a walk-through energy audit with a checklist report.  It is focused on energy efficiency opportunities for buildings.  These surveys can be requested for up to approximately 100,000 square feet of facilities (paid for through the SEO).  WRP staff will request that organizations complete some background information on the checklist and input monthly utility data before our engineers conduct the on-site, walk-through survey.  The Preliminary Energy Survey will identify energy efficiency measures and investment areas for further focused analysis.

Detailed Energy Surveys

A Detailed Energy Survey will build upon the information in the preliminary surveys.  The Detailed Survey will develop an energy project scope including estimated costs, savings, and technical consideration to implement an energy project.  Typically the Detailed Energy Survey will be focused on a singular building system, such as lighting upgrades.

Strategic Energy Planning Assistance

The State Energy Office is encouraging all public organizations to develop a strategic energy plan.  This plan is required if public organizations are applying for Energy Efficiency Block Grant funding through the State Energy Office.  The SEO has been offering one-day workshops to provide guidance on how to write an energy plan.  SEO-supported technical assistance to develop a strategic energy plan is limited to one day of assistance by the qualified provider. 

 
SEO Model SEP

Example SEP developed with WRP Assistance - County Government

Example SEP developed – Small Municipality

Grant Application Assistance

Organizations can request assistance to complete grant applications for energy efficiency projects funded through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program.  This is a detailed application requiring a clear project scope, cost quotations, savings estimates, background qualifications, and more.  Project eligibility is very focused and grants are competitive with required minimum scoring thresholds.