News

Oregon Health Science Saves on Natural Gas Through World Energy

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 08/03/09

Oregon Health Science University recently sought the help of the World Energy Exchange, run by World Energy Solutions, in figuring out the optimal purchase of natural gas. World Energy is an operator of online exchanges for energy and green commodities. According to a statement from the operator, the deal's procurement of 750,000 decatherms of natural gas will save the university $1.9 million over the prior year's utility rate.

Oregon Health Science--the state's only academic health center and Portland's largest employer--has numerous sites in and around Portland, World Energy worked closely with the university to help it understand its options beyond staying on the utility, develop and market a request for proposal, and test natural gas pricing among various third-party suppliers. This competitive process finished in May; delivery will begin in November.

"World Energy helped us move beyond business as usual to make our energy procurement more strategic, competitive, and cost-effective," said Ken Roberts, utilities energy manager. "Until working with their expert team, we had always contracted with our utility. World Energy helped us every step of the way to better understand our procurement opportunities, spur competition, and execute the right contract, at the right rate, for us."