In our pilot Advanced Energy Management (program, advanced metering systems are installed in selected facilities that provide daily reports of electricity usage broken down into 15 minute intervals. The data provides clear visibility into electricity usage patterns and has helped to identify opportunities for substantial savings in utility expenses and reduced emissions. We expanded the AEM pilot project to an additional 27 stores in 2008 and expect to grow the number of stores with AEM to more than in 2009.
Stores are encouraged to designate an Energy Captain, an Associate who takes responsibility for monitoring energy usage data, identifying opportunities for improvement and promoting energy-saving efforts throughout the store. A Company-wide campaign, Monthly Utility Mania, rewards stores and other units for developing energy-saving solutions and promoting energy conservation.
MUM has evolved from a one-month effort to a year-round communication and action campaign. The MUM program has yielded a variety of suggestions from Associates, including converting light bulbs in display lamps on the selling floor to compact fluorescents and installing occupancy sensors on lunchroom drink machines so the compressors cycle off at night.