Tara Hughes
PowerSecure, Inc. | Energy Project Engineer II
Speaker
Track A: FED Energy
Session A4: Energy Security in Federal Facilities: Efficient Infrastructure and Microgrids
September 19, 2025 | 9:30 am - 10:00 am
Complex Energy Programs: Overcoming Challenges and Pitfalls
The General Services Administration (GSA) Region 4 implemented large-scale energy infrastructure upgrades in twelve Federal facilities, some of which were over 100 years old. Unique challenges and solutions associated with design and implementation of dozens of energy conservation measures to improve future energy resiliency will be discussed. Key project highlights include comprehensive measures covering a broad range of types. Extensive chilled water plant upgrades included aquifer-source makeup water for high-rises in downtown Atlanta as well as state-of-the-art lighting upgrades across the portfolio. In addition, controls systems were enhanced and modernized, adding an energy monitoring dashboard to set the stage for future optimization through AI tools.
Speaker Bio
Tara Hughes obtained her B.S. and M.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Georgia, where she focused her research on energy-efficient building design and sustainability. With experience in energy auditing, analysis, and modeling, as well as mechanical system design for both centralized and decentralized systems, she has also worked on refrigerated system design. Tara has quantified over $2 million in energy savings and calculated Scope 1 and 2 emission reductions to help businesses meet their decarbonization goals.