CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SYNERGY Rewards, a behavior-based energy conservation program being tested by the Pentagon, has been awarded the Sustainable Buildings Industry Council’s Beyond Green Award for High-Performance Initiatives for its role in reducing energy consumption at the U.S. Army’s Fort Drum.
The award, which recognizes sustainable initiatives that shape, inform and catalyze the high-performance building market, will be awarded Jan. 10 at Building Innovation 2013 – The National Institute of Building Sciences Annual Conference and Expo in Washington, D.C.
Designed and implemented by Online-Rewards, SYNERGY Rewards was created to help the Department of Defense meet its objective of reducing energy consumption by 20 percent before 2020. The program incentivizes military families with gift cards, merchandise and other prizes to positively change their energy consumption behavior. Unlike other approaches to energy conservation that can require substantial financial and time investments, this type of behavior-change program is inexpensive, with costs linked to actual improvements.
“This is a high-tech approach to conservation that clearly has accomplished greater success at Fort Drum than old-fashioned posters and public service announcements,” said Online-Rewards President Michael Levy. “It’s exciting to contemplate the sustainability gains and cost-savings that could be achieved if the program would be expanded to other military installations and ultimately to utilities along the U.S. power grid.”
"This program truly changes the way that we think about the utility billing program on military installations," said Ivan Bolden, chief of the public-private initiatives division supporting the Pentagon’s Installation Management Command. "Using positive reinforcement to help save energy, the SYNERGY Rewards Program scores big by being both environmentally and military family friendly."
Since July 2009, more than 4,100 Fort Drum residents have participated in the SYNERGY Rewards program, resulting in a 9 percent reduction in meter-measured electrical and gas consumption and a 50 percent participation rate. Fort Drum residential energy consumers are rewarded for showing improvement in their consumption patterns and for participating in education quizzes on energy-saving topics.
The program features a social media component that allows soldiers to nominate other soldiers as Super Savers, individuals who exemplify energy conservation. The residents are then rewarded for their conservation activities, redeeming these credits for electronics, movies, books, golf clubs, baby supplies, bicycles and other popular merchandise.
Chad Harrell, director of sustainability at Lend Lease, characterized the cost-benefit ratio of the SYNERGY Rewards program as “overwhelming,” and noted that Fort Drum Mountain Community Homes has been able to apply a portion of the savings into further energy-reducing enhancements.
“The in-home, behavior-based platform to raise awareness and educate residents of the balance between lifestyle comfort and energy savings is a key enabler in motivating them to live a more sustainable way of life — as they sustain conservation,” Harrell said. “SYNERGY makes energy savings easy, fun and attractive for everyone, by engaging residents in managing consumption at the individual-home level.”
About Online-Rewards
Online-Rewards is a global leader in the design and development of reward programs that deliver positive behavior change. By combining its state-of-the-art software, an infinite selection of reward choices and behavioral change expertise, Online-Rewards enables clients to rapidly build complex reward programs to create unique incentive experiences. The company offers a variety of services for Fortune 1,000 and government clients. Online-Rewards has active programs in a variety of applications including: Customer and B2B Loyalty, Employee Reward and Recognition, Sales Performance, Health and Wellness, Safety and beyond. For more information about Online-Rewards, please visit www.online-rewards.com.
About Lend Lease
Lend Lease is a leading international property and infrastructure group. Listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and with over 18,000 employees worldwide, Lend Lease’s capabilities span the entire property spectrum - development; investment management; project management & construction and asset & property management. Our expertise covers multiple sectors including commercial, life sciences, retail, hospitality, education and industrial.
We create innovative and sustainable property solutions, forging partnerships and delivering maximum benefits to clients, investors and communities. Sustainability has always been an integral part of our culture and through design and investment in new technologies; we are delivering the next generation of sustainable property solutions. Safety is our number one priority and Lend Lease is committed to operating Incident & Injury Free wherever we have a presence.
For more information about Lend Lease, please visit our website www.lendlease.com.