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Quarterly Award Winners, Q1 2025

Quarterly Award Winners, Q1 2025

Published
15 May 2025

Q1 Award Winners: Energy Excellence Awards

Optimum Energy Clients Achieve Over $9.1 Million in Operational Savings* in Early 2025

Optimum Energy is proud to recognize the outstanding achievements of our clients in the first quarter of 2025. By implementing advanced energy optimization strategies across their facilities, these organizations have collectively saved more than $9.1 million in operational costs through April 30, 2025. *

*Disclaimer: Savings totals are based on reported and system-verified data as of April 30, 2025. Figures may be subject to adjustment based on ongoing measurement and verification.

Why These Savings Matter

1. Lower Operating Costs:
Reducing energy expenses directly improves the bottom line, allowing organizations to reinvest in their core business and future growth.

2. Environmental Impact:
Optimizing energy use means less waste and a smaller carbon footprint, supporting sustainability goals and helping to protect the environment.

3. Enhanced Facility Performance:
Efficient operations lead to more reliable facility performance, reduced maintenance needs, and improved comfort for building occupants.

4. Industry Leadership:
Organizations achieving significant savings set a strong example for operational excellence and innovation in energy management.

Congratulations to all the organizations leading the way in operational excellence and sustainable facility management. Their commitment to innovation continues to set new standards in the industry.

Recognized Organizations

Organization
Fortune 500 Semiconductor Manufacturer – Europe
Fortune 500 Semiconductor Manufacturer – Middle East
Fortune 500 Pharmaceutical Manufacturer – North America
Fortune 500 Semiconductor Manufacturer – North America
Fortune 500 Semiconductor Manufacturer – APAC
The University of Texas Austin – Station 6
The University of Texas Austin – Station 7
The University of Houston
Tampa General Hospital
The University of Texas Medical Branch – East Plant
The Rockefeller Group – 1271 6th Avenue
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – Oak Street

                    

Employee Spotlight: Srdjan Jankovic, P.E., Managing Principal Engineer

Employee Spotlight: Srdjan Jankovic, P.E., Managing Principal Engineer

Published
23 April 2025

At Optimum Energy, one of our greatest strengths is our talented and dedicated team. Through our Employee Spotlight Program, we celebrate the individuals who drive our success and deliver exceptional results for our clients. We invite you to get to know the people behind our work—their insights, diverse talents, and passion are the foundation of our performance, client outcomes, and industry leadership.

This month, we’re sitting down with Srdjan Jankovic P.E., LEED AP BDC, BEMP, a tenured member of the Optimum Energy engineering team. Srdjan has been with the company for nearly 15 years and brings over two decades of mechanical engineering experience to his role as Managing Principal Engineer. Throughout his time here, he’s played a vital role in Engineering, Optimization, and Business Development efforts across every stage of the project lifecycle.

Srdjan provides technical leadership in areas like energy modeling, HVAC system design, retro-commissioning, and central plant optimization. His expertise is particularly impactful in complex projects spanning healthcare, higher education, commercial buildings, and manufacturing facilities. Colleagues and clients know him not just for his deep technical knowledge, but for his commitment to practical solutions and long-term efficiency.

Can you share your journey with Optimum Energy and how your role has evolved since you joined?

“I joined Optimum Energy in March 2012 as a Senior Energy Engineer. With a background in HVAC system design and energy modeling, the role was a natural fit. It allowed me to dive back into familiar territory—HVAC systems—while expanding into new areas like chiller plant optimization, presales support, technical collaboration with our development team, and serving as a subject matter expert and trusted adviser to our customers.”

What is your favorite part about working at Optimum Energy?

“Hands down, it’s the people. I’m surrounded by smart, passionate, and dedicated peers who lead by example and push me to do my best. On a personal note, I appreciate being in a role that aligns with my education and career path—and having the trust and autonomy to grow within it. Optimum doesn’t believe in micromanagement; we focus on impact and expertise, not red tape.”

Describe an accomplishment at Optimum Energy of which you are particularly proud.

“There are quite a few, but what stands out is how consistently we exceed customer expectations. Whether we’re working alongside a local facilities team or supporting clients across four continents, we adapt to the engineering and financial nuances of each project and culture. It’s that ability to deliver top-tier engineering services, no matter the setting, that makes me proud to be part of this team.”

What is one thing you have learned while working here that has significantly impacted your approach to energy optimization?

“Optimization has to be holistic. You can’t just focus on individual components—you have to consider the entire system. For example, when optimizing a chilled water plant, you need to understand not just the plant itself, but how it interacts with air handling units and the spaces those units serve. I’ve also learned that people and processes are just as crucial as the technology. Sustainable, repeatable results depend on all three working in sync.”

How do you see the future of energy optimization, and what role do you believe Optimum Energy will play in shaping it?

“Energy optimization is entering a new phase—one that demands smarter, more adaptive solutions. As organizations juggle operational complexity, cost efficiency, and sustainability, the need for innovative, integrated approaches is only growing.

That’s where Optimum Energy shines. With two decades of experience and a strong foundation in both technology and industry insight, we’re positioned to lead. Our focus on collaboration and continuous improvement will help clients achieve long-term resilience and efficiency. As we grow our presence in the Energy-as-a-Service space, we’re not just keeping up—we’re helping to define what energy optimization looks like for the future.”

Whether you’re looking to join a team that’s redefining energy optimization—or want one of our experts to lead your next project—Optimum Energy is ready to deliver. Connect with us to explore career opportunities or discover how we can help you achieve lasting performance and sustainability results.

Virginia APPA 2025 Highlights

Virginia APPA 2025 Highlights

Published
20 March 2025

Virginia APPA Highlights: Finding the Balance Between Efficiency and Reality in Campus Operations

Optimum Energy recently attended the Virginia APPA conference in Williamsburg, VA, joining facilities leaders from across higher education to discuss the future of campus operations. As part of our commitment to supporting the next generation of facilities professionals, Optimum Energy is proud to have contributed to the organization’s scholarship fund.

A key highlight was our session, “(Kilo)Watt’s the Problem? Balancing Efficiency and Reality in Campus Operations.” Led by Director of Sales David Dykes and Senior Director of Business Development Andy Pahwa, this exercise took a hard look at the practical realities institutions face. Sustainability goals and operational budgets often pull in different directions, and aging infrastructure adds complexity. The discussion focused on how to manage costs and operational risks while implementing forward-looking, efficient systems.

Participants engaged in a candid conversation about the balance between chasing every incremental efficiency gain and making smart investments that truly move the needle. Dykes and Pahwa shared strategies for navigating these trade-offs and provided actionable insights for energy optimization without overspending. The session underscored a simple truth: successful campus energy management requires both vision and pragmatism. By understanding operational realities and aligning them with long-term sustainability and financial goals, facilities teams can make smarter decisions today that pay off tomorrow.

As part of our commitment to supporting the next generation of facilities professionals, Optimum Energy contributed to the organization’s scholarship fund.

Emerging Trends in Energy Management: Insights from Lisa Roy, CEO of Optimum Energy

Emerging Trends in Energy Management: Insights from Lisa Roy, CEO of Optimum Energy

Published
29 January 2025

The energy landscape is undergoing a rapid transformation, driven by a confluence of factors including climate change, technological advancements, and shifting consumer preferences. As businesses grapple with the challenges and opportunities presented by this evolving landscape, innovative solutions are emerging to drive sustainability and efficiency. 

Lisa Roy, CEO of Optimum Energy, recently shed light on key trends shaping the future of energy management during the Decarbonization Disruptors podcast. In this blog post, we delve into three critical themes she highlighted: electrification and grid interaction, the rise of machine learning and AI, and the complexities of decarbonization. 

Electrification and Grid Interaction: A New Era of Energy Supply 

Electrification is rapidly reshaping the energy sector, increasing demand for more resilient and adaptable energy systems. On-site energy generation and grid interaction are becoming increasingly important as businesses seek to enhance reliability and sustainability. 

Machine Learning and AI: Unlocking the Power of Data 

“We are drowning in data but starving for insights.” This statement rings truer than ever in the energy sector, where vast amounts of information are generated every second.  As Lisa Roy, CEO of Optimum Energy, puts it: 

“At Optimum Energy, we believe data is the new currency of energy. It’s the key to understanding how energy is being used, where it’s being wasted, and how we can improve efficiency.  By harnessing the power of data and AI, we can unlock unprecedented levels of optimization and sustainability.” 

Advanced analytics powered by machine learning and AI are essential for turning this data deluge into actionable intelligence. These technologies can help businesses identify inefficiencies, optimize energy consumption, and predict maintenance needs. 

Predictive Maintenance: By analyzing historical data and real-time sensor readings, AI-powered systems can anticipate equipment failures, allowing for proactive maintenance and minimizing downtime. 

Energy Optimization: Machine learning algorithms can optimize energy usage by identifying patterns and anomalies, leading to significant cost savings. 

Decarbonization: A Complex but Necessary Journey 

Decarbonization has become a top priority for many organizations, but the path to a low-carbon future is fraught with challenges. To achieve their decarbonization goals, businesses must adopt a holistic approach that considers the entire energy value chain. 

Optimum Energy: Driving the Future of Energy Management 

At Optimum Energy, Lisa and her team are at the forefront of the energy revolution, providing cutting-edge solutions that help businesses navigate the complexities of the modern energy landscape. By combining advanced technology, deep industry expertise, and a customer-centric approach, Optimum Energy empowers organizations to optimize their energy consumption, reduce costs, and achieve their sustainability goals. 

To learn more about how Optimum Energy can help your business, visit their website or contact their team today. 

Holistic Design-Build Optimization Transforms North Pole Operations to Meet Santa’s Unique Needs

Holistic Design-Build Optimization Transforms North Pole Operations to Meet Santa’s Unique Needs

Published
23 December 2024

Overview

Santa’s Workshop, the global epicenter of holiday joy and gift production, has announced a transformational partnership with Optimum Energy. This initiative focuses on modernizing Santa’s aging infrastructure, ensuring seamless delivery of holiday magic while prioritizing sustainability and efficiency.

The partnership includes optimizing Santa’s Central Utility Plant (CUP), retrofitting workshop HVAC systems, and leveraging patented machine learning technologies for energy savings. Together, these efforts are set to enhance operations across the North Pole and beyond.

About the North Pole Operations: A Magical but Massive Enterprise

The North Pole, the headquarters of Santa’s global gift logistics empire, is a sprawling, bustling facility covering approximately 5 million square feet. Like a small city, this expansive operation is designed to produce, package, and distribute billions of toys annually. However, maintaining such a vast and diverse operation has grown increasingly challenging over the centuries.

Here’s an inside look at the scale and complexity of Santa’s North Pole operations:

The Challenges of Holiday Logistics

Santa’s operations are legendary but not without their challenges. The North Pole’s extreme conditions have affected aging boilers, chiller plants, and reindeer stables. Manual processes for tracking toy production and inventory have left little time for strategic planning—or for Santa to enjoy his iconic hobby, perfecting hot chocolate recipes.

“Our systems were older than Rudolph’s first sleigh run,” said Santa Claus, Christmas Executive Officer (CEO). “We required a partner who could deliver cutting-edge solutions and help us keep the magic alive for generations.”

Challenges at Scale

Aging Infrastructure: With millions of square feet to maintain, outdated systems are no longer sufficient to meet the North Pole’s growing needs.

Optimizing & Modernizing the North Pole with Optimum Energy

Spreading Holiday Cheer Beyond the Workshop

The modernization efforts have given Santa and his team the bandwidth to explore new ventures. Inspired by his iconic look, Santa is introducing a luxury line of candy cane-infused beard oils for the first time in centuries.

“Thanks to Optimum Energy, I finally have time to innovate!” Santa exclaimed. “The elves are less stressed, the reindeer are happier, and I’m finally focusing on my dream projects, like my snow cone franchise.”

Future-Proofing Festive Magic

Santa’s new energy strategy is not just about this Christmas—it’s about ensuring the magic lasts centuries. The partnership includes:

“It’s a Christmas miracle for the modern age,” Santa concluded. “The world counts on us, and now, we’re more ready than ever to deliver joy to every corner of the globe.”

The North Pole Outcomes

These groundbreaking gains not only future-proof Santa’s operations but ensure that every child in the world wakes up to the joy of a thoughtfully crafted gift. The North Pole is now a beacon of sustainability, efficiency, and unmatched holiday cheer!

“Optimum Energy was crucial to our transformation, and we wouldn’t have reached this milestone without them,” stated Santa Claus, CEO of Christmas. From optimizing our energy systems to enabling remote monitoring of the entire facility, they have helped us future-proof the North Pole while ensuring every child wakes up to the magic of Christmas. Now, even when I’m away delivering gifts, I know everything is as it should be at the North Pole!”

Decarbonizing the Built Environment: Accelerating Your Path to Net Zero

Decarbonizing the Built Environment: Accelerating Your Path to Net Zero

Published
21 November 2024

As COP29 highlights the urgency of addressing climate change, organizations must focus on decarbonizing the built environment—a sector responsible for nearly 40% of global energy-related CO₂ emissions. For organizations with net-zero aspirations, this presents a significant challenge—but also an incredible opportunity.

At Optimum Energy, we specialize in solutions that make decarbonization achievable, scalable, and impactful. By leveraging energy efficiency optimization, retro-commissioning, Optimization as a Service (OaaS), and automation, we help organizations reduce their carbon footprint and achieve their net-zero goals.

1. Energy Efficiency Optimization: Precision in Performance

Optimum Energy’s solutions are designed to optimize energy use across your building systems, delivering measurable emissions reductions and cost savings. Our approach focuses on maximizing the efficiency of HVAC systems, which can account for up to 50% of a building’s energy consumption.

2. Carbon Accounting and Reporting: Meeting Regulatory and Stakeholder Expectations

Accurate carbon measurement and reporting are essential for regulatory compliance and meeting stakeholder expectations. Optimum Energy leverages a data-driven approach to provide clients with precise, actionable insights into their carbon footprint. By integrating real-time data collection and advanced analytics, we help organizations measure, verify, report, and strategize their carbon emissions reductions with confidence, ensuring alignment with global and local sustainability standards.

3. Retro-Commissioning: Maximizing Existing Assets

For organizations with existing, older, or underperforming facilities, retro-commissioning through Optimum Energy ensures your building systems operate as efficiently as possible.

Our retro-commissioning services breathe new life into existing infrastructure, helping clients reduce their carbon footprint while extending the life of their systems.

4. Optimization as a Service (OaaS): Simplifying Your Decarbonization Investment

Optimum Energy’s Optimization as a Service (OaaS) offering makes sustainability investments accessible, scalable, and financially predictable.

With Optimum Energy, decarbonization becomes not just a possibility but a reality for organizations of any size.

5. Advanced Automation: Smarter Buildings for a Sustainable Future

Automation is at the heart of Optimum Energy’s solutions. By integrating intelligent controls and machine learning algorithms, we enable real-time energy optimization, improving both performance and sustainability.

With automation powered by Optimum Energy, your building becomes a smarter, more sustainable asset.

6. Occupant Comfort and Productivity: Beyond Energy Savings

Energy efficiency improvements go beyond sustainability—they also enhance occupant comfort and productivity. By ensuring optimal temperature control, lighting, and air quality, our solutions create an environment that fosters well-being and efficiency, delivering tangible value for employees, tenants, and customers alike.

7. Industry-Specific Solutions: Meeting Unique Challenges
Every industry faces unique energy challenges. Optimum Energy tailors its solutions to meet the specific needs of sectors such as healthcare, data centers, and educational institutions. For example:

8. Resilience and Adaptation: Building for a Changing Climate

In a world increasingly affected by climate change, building resilience is essential. Optimum Energy enhances resilience by optimizing systems to withstand extreme weather, reducing dependency on fossil fuels, and ensuring reliable operations during power outages. Our solutions prepare buildings to adapt to the challenges of a changing environment, safeguarding both sustainability and operational continuity.

Optimum Energy: Your Partner in Net-Zero Goals

At Optimum Energy, we understand that achieving net-zero goals requires actionable solutions tailored to your building’s unique needs. By focusing on energy efficiency, retro-commissioning, EaaS, and automation, we empower organizations to decarbonize their built environments while maximizing operational efficiency and cost savings.

As COP29 calls for global action, the time to act is now. Let’s work together to create a carbon-neutral future, one building at a time.

Ready to start your decarbonization journey? Contact Optimum Energy today to learn how our solutions can help your organization reach its net-zero goals.

Employee Spotlight: Eric Toback, VP of Sales & Marketing

Employee Spotlight: Eric Toback, VP of Sales & Marketing

Published
01 October 2024

At Optimum Energy, one of our greatest assets is our talented and dedicated team. Our Employee Spotlight Program celebrates and showcases the individuals who make our company thrive and deliver exceptional client outcomes. This program offers a behind-the-scenes look at the diverse talents driving Optimum Energy’s success, client outcomes, and industry standards.

Can you share your journey with Optimum Energy and how your role has evolved since you joined?

I joined Optimum Energy in 2012 as an energy engineer designing and supporting the technical aspects of our energy optimization solutions. Energy Engineers at Optimum Energy are very customer-facing, so I learned first-hand the challenges our clients were facing with their critical infrastructure and the importance of developing comprehensive solutions to meet their needs. That experience led me to transition into sales where I felt I could have an even bigger impact for our clients. After a few years, I became Vice President of Sales, managing and leading our sales team.

In 2021, I left Optimum Energy for a career change. However, my journey led me back to Optimum Energy, where I recently returned to my previous role as VP of Sales and Marketing. Today, the firm is backed by the experienced investment team at Bernhard Capital Partners and the leadership and vision of our new CEO, industry veteran Lisa Roy. With Optimum Energy poised to be the industry’s premier energy savings solution provider, I am incredibly excited to be back.

What is your favorite part about working at Optimum Energy?

My favorite aspect of working at Optimum Energy is working day in and day out with a passionate and dedicated group of individuals who are the best in the business at what they do. Whether it’s engineering an optimization roadmap, diagnosing a central plant flow issue, troubleshooting building BAS controls, or developing a complex Energy as a Service financing and operational solution, our team works tirelessly to achieve our client outcomes.

Describe an accomplishment at Optimum Energy of which you are particularly proud.

I’m proud of Optimum Energy’s ability to consistently exceed client expectations time after time, which is driven by our approach to cultivating long-term partnerships with our clients. We take pride in our ability to perform proper due diligence and develop projects that align with client needs. Whether your facility is in LA, Shanghai, or anywhere in between, we’re going to deliver on what we promised.

What is one thing you have learned while working here that has significantly impacted your approach to energy optimization?

My most important takeaway from this experience is that energy optimization must be approached holistically. For example, it’s one thing to improve the efficiency of the HVAC central plant; however, you’re only solving one piece of the puzzle. The building zones determine how hard the central plant must work, so your approach must consider everything from the space requirements back to the central plant since it’s all a connected system. To truly be “optimized,” you must take a holistic approach, being careful not to “rob Peter to pay Paul,” as they say.

Similarly, the solution providers must take a comprehensive approach to delivering client outcomes. It’s not enough to have best-in-class technology without the industry expertise to apply it to complex systems correctly. Similarly, subject matter expertise can only take you so far without the technology, tools, and processes to deliver predictable and repeatable outcomes over time.

How do you see the future of energy optimization, and what role do you believe Optimum Energy will play in shaping it?

I see a future where energy-saving solutions providers, like Optimum Energy, will play an ever-increasing role in their client’s facility operations. Companies are faced with rising complexities and an increasing demand for resilient operations, cost reduction, and sustainability, which are often competing interests with one another. These challenges will require suppliers to innovate their offerings and assume more operational and financial risk from their clients to remove implementation barriers and streamline facilities’ operations and maintenance. Optimum Energy is poised to lead in this new era by building on our 20-year history of combining best-in-class technology with industry-leading experts.

Optimum Energy’s Retro-Commissioning Services Offer Significant Building-Side Savings

Optimum Energy’s Retro-Commissioning Services Offer Significant Building-Side Savings

Published
15 May 2024
Hospital of the Future

The operation of mechanical and building automation systems play a crucial role in maintaining comfortable and compliant spaces. Over time building operations can become inefficient due to factors such as aging equipment, outdated controls sequences, and changing operational needs. 

Optimum Energy’s Engineering Solutions group provides the expertise and technical resources to design and implement all Retro-Commissioning and BAS Upgrade services. Optimum has developed a process that comprehensively and systematically optimizes the performance of existing building systems to ensure they operate at peak efficiency.  

Retro-Commissioning focuses on existing buildings and can deliver substantial benefits including energy savings, improved comfort, extended equipment life and reduced maintenance costs.  Typically, our Retro-Commissioning services payback between 12 and 18 months. This makes it an invaluable investment for facility teams, and offers another path to funding projects that otherwise would have been out of budget.   

By conducting a detailed assessment of your facilities, controls sequences, and operational parameters, our Retro-Commissioning experts can identify opportunities for optimization and implement interventions to improve performance and drive savings. 

As your organization seeks to navigate the complexities of sustainable building management, our Retro-Commissioning services offer a proven pathway to improved efficiency, reduced operating costs, and enhanced sustainability. 

We would love to discuss if Retro-Commissioning could be a tool that would benefit you and your team. Please reach out to Alex Lee at alex.lee@optimumenergyco.com to discuss further.