The Hershey Medical Center Energy Journey: District Energy, ECMs, and Resilient Operations in an Uncertain Energy Environment

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Abstract:

In 2009, the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center began planning an ambitious energy modernization transformation. This program was intended to address aging infrastructure, rising energy costs, deferred maintenance, and emerging sustainability mandates. What started as a strategic planning initiative evolved into one of the most recognized and awarded energy management programs in the United States, earning multiple USGBC Climate Champion Awards, the Pennsylvania Microgrid of the Year honor, a 2025 IDEA Innovation Award, and PEER Platinum Certification.

Campus Energy Engineer Kevin Kanoff will share the Hershey Medical Center’s energy transformation journey, showing how the team modernized critical systems while balancing the needs of medical staff, patients, students, administrators, and the broader institutional mission. The presentation will cover Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs), behind-the-meter power generation, demand management, and other key energy management strategies.

Kevin will discuss the value of a global approach to energy management, including a clear understanding of building system interactions, financial considerations, improved reliability and resiliency, and alignment with the facility’s mission.

 

Learning Objectives:

  • Evaluate common Energy Conservation Measures for impact and strong returns on investment.
  • Describe how ECMs can be layered and optimized to improve overall energy performance.
  • Define district energy and explain its basic efficiency benefits.
  • Identify the key benefits of behind-the-meter power generation.
  • Describe energy risk management considerations in an uncertain energy future.

Date

Oct 06 2026

Time

2:00 pm
Category

Speaker

  • Kevin Kanoff Campus Energy Engineer
    Kevin Kanoff
    Campus Energy Engineer

    Kevin has extensive experience and knowledge in evaluating existing building systems and retrofitting

    energy conservation measures to functioning buildings, process systems and District Energy Systems.

    His experiences include data collection, energy data analysis, energy conservation measure (ECM);

    project development and construction management, measurement and verification of energy

    conservation measures, development of annual Energy Reports for Senior Management, and

    developing energy master plans. The Energy Savings Program he implemented at Penn State Health

    Milton S. Hershey Medical Center has resulted in significant energy savings and energy intensity

    reduction. Furthermore, he has been the visionary in implementing and optimizing power generation

    onsite at the Hershey Medical Center. He leads the Utility budget development team and energy

    procurement team for Penn State Health. Additionally, Kevin has extensive experience in Multi-Family

    housing energy management.

    Kevin has a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Idaho and has worked in the

    field of engineering for 34 years, specializing in the building energy field for the last 26 years. Kevin is

    a Certified Energy Manager and Certified Energy Procurement Professional.