RBS/Citizens Bank – Matt Schmitt – 2011

Goals

Matt Schmitt spent his summer at RBS Citizens Financial Group evaluating energy efficiency projects at the bank’s data centers, branches and offices throughout the northeastern US.

Solutions

At two of the company’s data centers, Matt recommended retrofits to air conditioning units that could reduce annual electricity costs by about $130,000. The projects qualify for great rebates from local utilities, which makes the payback less than two years.

Matt drafted a scope of work for RBS to solicit bids from energy audit companies in order to improve the energy efficiency at retail Citizens Bank branches. Additionally, Matt initiated utility sponsored audits at four branches, which found ways to cut electricity use by 8 percent just with lighting retrofits, and the utility covers 70 percent of the cost, making for a short payback.

Lastly, Matt started the installation process for enhanced electric meters at office buildings that will give 15 minute interval data usage, and he recommended an internal chargeback system where business units are charged for after-hour’s office usage. 

Potential Impact

All told, Matt’s recommendations totaled about $478,000 in savings, 575 metric tons of reduced CO2 emissions and an annual electricity use reduction of 1.5 GWh, enough to power more than 160 homes a year.