The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) presents its latest e-Training core course, ESPCs: Five Phases to Success.

This online class provides an introduction to the fundamentals of an energy savings performance contract (ESPC)—an alternative financing vehicle that allows Federal agencies to complete projects without up-front capital costs and special Congressional appropriations by partnering with an energy service company (ESCO). Learners will be introduced to ESPC basics, including key concepts, timelines, authorizing legislation, and stakeholder roles and responsibilities, as well of the five phases of the ESPC development process.

Participants will learn about the:

• Basics of an ESPC, including definitions, scope, authorizing legislation, financing arrangements, project team roles, and key contracting documents

• Importance of measurements and verification (MV) to a successful project, including MV concepts, how guarantees are met, and the definition of savings

• Five phases of ESPC development: from planning to performance period and project closeout

• Role of the risk, responsibility, and performance matrix in summarizing and assigning risks and/or responsibilities to the ESCO, agency, or both.

The course instructor is Kurmit Rockwell, FEMP's ESPC program manager who oversees services, tools, and resources needed to assist agencies with implementing successful ESPC projects. Over a 25-year career, Rockwell's work has included engineering and all aspects of ESPC project implementation for Federal, state, and local governments.

After completing a course evaluation and multiple-choice assessment, participants will receive a certificate of completion and be eligible for continuing education units.

FEMP's eTraining courses are designed for Federal energy and facility managers, but are open to all individuals though the FEMP Training website. They are hosted in partnership with the National Institute of Building Sciences' Whole Building Design Guide.

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