CASE STUDY
College of the Sequoias delivers
an education in smarter energy use.
Innovative community college curtails energy use by participating
in EnerNOC’s Clean Green California program.
fast facts
Industry:
Higher Education
Location:
Visalia, California
Program:
Clean Green California
DR Strategy:
Curtailment
Primary Curtailment Strategy:
Lighting and HVAC adjustments
Annual Payments:
$10,000 - $12,000
The Big Picture
College of the Sequoias is a community college focused on student
learning that leads to productive work, lifelong learning, and
community involvement. Given its location in Visalia, California—
nestled on the edge of California’s Sequoia National Forest—
college leaders and students are inherently aware of environmental
impact, the need for energy reduction, and the overall issue of
sustainability.
This progressive community college participates in Clean Green
California™—a unique demand response (DR) program designed
by EnerNOC to protect California’s natural beauty, help alleviate the
need to build new coal-burning peaking power plants, and prevent
blackouts and brownouts.
The program offers high-incentive payments, a simple enrollment
process, and a no-risk, no-cost, no-penalty approach. During
curtailment events, the college sheds approximately 250 kW of
energy use—giving Southern California Edison, its energy provider,
much-needed relief during peak periods. Demand response
generates approximately $10,000 - $12,000 in annual payments
from EnerNOC to the college. And it delivers a range of other non-
financial benefits as well—from providing advanced metering to
inspiring students to be smarter energy consumers.
 CASE STUDY COLLEGE OF THE SEQUOIAS
An education in energy reduction
College of the Sequoias is in session during warm months, when
air-conditioning keeps the classrooms cool—and frequently
strains the California power grid. When the college experiences
a DR event, it uses its sophisticated energy management system
to increase the temperature by four degrees throughout its
campus, while shutting off air conditioning in all public spaces,
such as hallways.
“Our first goal is the comfort of our students and staff,” says
Eric Mittlestead, dean of facilities and facilities planning. “With
EnerNOC DR, we’ve found that we’re able to reduce energy use
without sacrificing comfort.” If the college gets inquiries about
the change of temperature during events, Mittlestead’s team
responds by highlighting that these changes are temporary
and part of a DR event. “We received some calls,” he says. “But
once we explained what was happening, everyone was very
supportive.”
Students were particularly enthusiastic about the program,
according to Mittlestead. “When we explained how we were
saving energy via DR, they were all onboard, right from the start.
They even shut off additional lights and looked for new ways
to reduce energy use. Our students know we’re doing the right
thing by cutting our energy use. And they’re completely behind
the idea.”
This adjustment in air conditioning is aimed at reducing energy
use by 250 kW during an event. “EnerNOC demand response is a
key part of our energy management and reduction efforts,” says
Mittlestead. “Curbing our energy use a few times a year gives us
an additional source of revenue. And it’s a creative way to lower
our high energy costs. So it makes perfect sense for us.”
The decision to implement DR was easy, according to college
leaders. No up-front costs, no penalties, free metering, and
thousands of dollars in payments made the EnerNOC DR
program extremely attractive. Plus, EnerNOC streamlined the
process and took responsibility for all aspects of the project,
such as installing local meters and monitoring performance
during events.
Demand response is the latest innovative program adopted
by College of the Sequoias, which has been actively working
to conserve energy since 2001. The impact of these efforts is
clear. The school has reduced its power bill from approximately
$782,000 in 2001 to approximately $622,000 in 2007.
 education

The Results
The DR events have gone smoothly for the college. “The college
continued as normal, without any disruption,” says Mittlestead.
“And everyone has been really supportive—the president,
directors, staff, and students. If we have a lot of events during
the intense summer heat, we may have to explain the program
more in advance. But everyone understands that we need to
conserve energy.”
• Easy events.
Curtailment requests come to the college via email and
phone. “When EnerNOC informs me of a DR event, I
simply click on one button in our energy management
system and it makes the necessary air conditioning and
other adjustments—quickly and automatically,” says
Mittlestead. “It’s easy. And it curtails energy immediately.”

EnerNOC DR payments of approximately $10,000 - $12,000 • An educational opportunity.

annually go into a special account reserved for energy
conservation efforts. “We pool the money we gain from DR,
rebates, and other programs, then use it to invest in other
energy-related projects,” says Mittlestead. Programs include
lighting change-outs, linking new buildings to the college’s
central plant, and other green initiatives.
The college’s many energy-reduction efforts—including
demand response—all pass along a strong conservation
message to its more than 12,000 students. Students learn
that energy reduction is important, and doesn’t even
require much of a sacrifice, if any, of their overall comfort.
These lessons continue to resonate throughout their adult
lives, creating energy-conscious citizens.

The Benefits • Positive publicity.

For College of the Sequoias, the most important benefit of its The college’s energy-reduction efforts have been
participation in Clean Green California is the minimal impact on highlighted in articles in the Fresno Bee and other
publications.

“ With EnerNOC DR, we’ve found that we’re able to reduce energy use without
sacrificing comfort.
“
— Eric Mittlestead, dean of facilities and facilities planning

its students. However, the benefits that it brings to the school

are significant:
• Advanced metering—free.
As part of the college’s DR efforts, EnerNOC installed
advanced metering that integrates with its system
and enables real time viewing of energy use. “To make
efficiency gains, you need to know what you’re using and
when,” says Mittlestead. “The metering is a big advantage
to us. And best of all, EnerNOC provided and installed it
for free.”
• A professional partner.
During the implementation process, the college worked
closely with the EnerNOC team. “We were very impressed
with the professionalism of the entire EnerNOC staff,” says
Mittlestead. “We’re very pleased with our partnership with
EnerNOC and our participation in Clean Green California.
It’s a great program, and EnerNOC is an excellent partner.”

What is demand response?

Demand response programs from EnerNOC provide payments directly to organizations that choose to voluntarily curtail energy use
during times of peak demand. EnerNOC works closely with our customers to define customized curtailment strategies and ensure
successful performance during events. EnerNOC absorbs all costs and protects customers from any penalties that can be incurred for
not meeting curtailment targets. Our programs help increase energy capacity without requiring construction of new power plants—
benefiting utilities, their customers, and the environment.
 “ To make efficiency gains, you need to know what you’re using and when. The
metering is a big advantage to us. And best of all, EnerNOC provided and installed it

“
for free.

— Eric Mittlestead, dean of facilities and facilities planning

The Future College of the Sequoias is just one of the many

College of the Sequoias is committed to exploring new schools and businesses that benefit from
opportunities for curtailing and conserving energy—all with an
EnerNOC’s demand response programs. To
overall goal of reducing energy use by 10 percent. For example,
it continues to link more and more of the campus to its central find out more, call (617) 532-2102 or email
cooling plant and to use its energy management system to info@enernoc.com.
reduce energy throughout the campus. It is also exploring the
installation of solar panels on the roof of a new nursing building.
“Our energy-reduction efforts self-perpetuate over time,”
notes Mittlestead. “The more we save now, the more we can do
in the future.”