Strategic Energy Management (SEM)
“Our main driver to join SEMI last year was the funding for solar panels. Since then, we’ve conducted an energy audit and enrolled in the strategic energy management one-year training program. SEMI has opened a window to what’s possible for our facilities.”
Ashton Ervin, Manager of Maintenance and Asset Reliability, Southland Trailers
Lethbridge, AB
Due to popular demand, the Strategic Energy Management (SEM) activity has reached full subscription and is closed to new applications. Interest in SEM exceeded expectations, leading to early closure of the activity.
This milestone demonstrates a strong interest in energy efficiency and continuous improvement among Alberta’s industrial and manufacturing facilities. While applications for SEM are no longer being accepted, ERA will continue to share updates on program progress and outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: September 22, 2025
The SEM activity is fully subscribed, and we are not enrolling new facilities into the SEM cohorts. If you’re already participating in FRA or other SEMI activities, please continue with those pathways—they remain available and valuable. Current SEM participants are not affected and will continue through to completion.
Yes, existing SEM participants can continue training until they’ve completed the program.
Submitting an FRA does not guarantee funding for other activities, but it provides valuable insights into your facility’s energy use and cost-saving opportunities.
Strategic Energy Management (SEM)
The Strategic Energy Management (SEM) activity is a structured process to improve an organization’s energy performance through assessment, prioritization, and implementation of practices, processes, and policies that generate sustainable energy savings.
SEM uses a group training structure facilitated by a qualified energy practitioner through training, coaching, peer-to-peer knowledge sharing, and technical support. The facilitated SEM process is a guided discovery through the following components:
- Develop facility-specific energy use, key performance indicators, energy baseline, benchmarks, and metrics, and quantification of controllable and uncontrollable energy use
- Develop energy management goals and targets relative to the importance of energy use in your operations
- Assess current energy management resources and ability to add resources to reach your goals and targets
- Establish a monitoring, reporting and communication framework aligned with your organization’s information flows
- Prepare an action plan to improve areas of focus by integrating operations, maintenance, capital planning, and other departments
- Discover methods of continual improvement, various energy management standards, and how to incorporate the plan into your organization
- Learn through peer activities such as group discussion and case studies within your energy management training group
Resources
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SEM One-pager
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SEM Application Guide
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SEM Terms and Conditions
Your Responsibilities for SEM
The SEM activity requires the following from you to maximize the benefits:
- Appoint an executive sponsor to engage the executive team, provide organizational coaching for the energy manager, and champion the value of improving energy performance within your facility
- Register an employee as the facility energy manager to actively participate in the SEM initiative. The energy manager must have access to the data and resources to assess your facility
- Incorporate SEM principles, activities, and recommendations appropriate for your facility
- Attendance record of 80% to the workshops and virtual sessions
- Disclose if one of the program activities will be carried out on federal lands
In-Kind Contributions for SEM
Ready to get started with SEMI?
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Questions?
Contact our program team for more information.