At Bright Power, collaboration isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the foundation of our approach. Our teams work seamlessly to help real estate portfolios navigate the complex landscape of energy efficiency and building performance.
Recently, we spoke with several Bright Power engineers and analysts about how our Find, Fix, Follow methodology intersects across teams to deliver comprehensive building decarbonization and compliance solutions throughout a building’s lifecycle.
In this spotlight, we highlight the contributions of:
- Abby Arrunategui, Energy Engineer
- Alex Diaz-Casos, Policy and Programs Analyst
- Genesis Reyes, Compliance Analyst
- Juliana Balaban-Kroll, Emissions Reporting Analyst
(From left to right: Alex Diaz-Casos, Genesis Reyes, Abby Arrunategui, Juliana Balaban-Kroll)
Turning Data into Direction
Energy efficiency journeys often begin with energy benchmarking, giving property stakeholders a data-driven foundation for informed decision-making. Genesis Reyes, Compliance Analyst, explains:
“We benchmark energy performance and analyze utility data to create EnergyScoreCards— a critical tool for compliance and energy consumption forecasting. Through our proprietary EnergyScoreCards platform, we apply analytical expertise to examine fuel types, usage patterns, and jurisdictional requirements, and help building owners understand current energy and water performance and how they can prioritize capital investments effectively.”
EnergyScoreCards not only supports city and state benchmarking compliance but also underpins emissions reporting and strategic capital planning.
“The data can tell us if something has changed or needs attention,” adds Genesis. “We maintain ongoing touchpoints with clients to gain an accurate picture of energy events at their properties.”
This approach enables clients to identify energy and water consumption issues and collaborate with our Energy Audits team to develop actionable plans for improvement.
Energy Audits: Mapping Next Steps
“An energy audit provides a comprehensive overview of a building’s energy performance and its systems,” explains Abby Arrunategui, one of our energy auditors.
“Energy audits evaluate the energy consumption and performance of major building systems to offer recommendations ranging from simple, immediate actions to long-term plans. Long term planning can include major system upgrades and deep energy retrofits. Audits identify an array of opportunities to reduce energy costs, improve system efficiency, and reach compliance goals”
Our energy audits utilize energy modeling to identify opportunities and recommendations. The auditors work closely with the Analysis team to integrate detailed energy data into actionable insights.
“Partnering with Genesis and our Analysis team ensures that audits provide practical, targeted solutions supported by rigorous data,” Abby notes.
Reporting Emissions with Precision
For properties subject to Building Performance Standards and/or New York City’s Local Law 97, Bright Power’s Emissions Reporting Team collaborates closely with both Energy Audits and Analysis teams.
Juliana Balaban-Kroll emphasizes cross-functional coordination:
“The first year of Local Law 97 reporting has been extremely critical for reviewing and confirming property and utility information to accurately calculate carbon emissions. Our teams worked together to ensure we have the most accurate greenhouse gas emissions data. We also coordinated with Alex and the Policy & Programs Team to identify reporting pathways, and leverage benchmarking data with tools like BEAM and DOB NOW to ensure accuracy.”
Answering the Big Questions
Bright Power’s Policy & Programs Team provides clients with insights on climate policy and city regulations, helping them navigate compliance and energy optimization strategies.
“Clients often ask, ‘What can I do to avoid fines under Local Law 97?’” says Alex Diaz-Casos. “We draw on expertise from multiple teams—Energy Audits, Analysis, and Emissions Reporting—to advise clients on their optimal compliance paths and inform their strategic energy decisions.”
The Policy & Programs Team also guides properties on reducing energy costs, identifying incentives and financing, interpreting energy grades, and evaluating equipment upgrades, often leveraging tools like EnergyScoreCards alongside years of industry experience.
The Power of Find, Fix, Follow
Abby highlights the cyclical nature of our methodology:
“Buildings can enter the Find, Fix, Follow process at any stage. Whether starting with benchmarking, requesting an energy audit, or seeking emissions reporting support, each component is interconnected. This ensures insights flow freely between teams and fosters long-term partnerships with building owners to reduce energy consumption over time.”
Each team brings specialized tools and expertise:
- Audit Team: Energy system evaluation, capital planning guidance
- Analysis Team: Utility data, internal documentation, and proprietary analytics
- Emissions Reporting Team: Coordination with the Department of Buildings, dashboards, and compliance tools
Supporting buildings over the long term is a hallmark of our work.
“We’ve benchmarked properties continuously since 2009,” notes Genesis. “This historical data allows us to provide consistent and reliable guidance. We can also utilize audit refreshes to streamline compliance under Local Law 87.”
Looking Ahead
With the 2026 Local Law 97 compliance deadline approaching, Alex encourages clients to think proactively:
“Future-oriented planning is essential—many projects take time to reach completion and achieve results. Early action ensures smoother compliance and long-term efficiency gains.”
Bright Power’s collaborative approach, backed by robust tools and expert teams, transforms data into meaningful action—helping clients achieve energy efficiency, regulatory compliance, and sustainable building performance.