Can a no-cost energy program really deliver lasting impact?
What happens when you give people the tools, the data and the trust to take ownership of energy use? At Adtran, the result was a cultural shift, major savings and community impact, all without spending a penny on new infrastructure.
When we set out to improve energy performance across our Huntsville campus, we didn’t start with a budget. We started with a question: Could we drive real savings and lasting impact without investing in capital projects?
Two years later, we got our answer.
Through a no-cost Strategic Energy Management (SEM) program from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), we worked with Huntsville Utilities to change how we approach energy – from the mechanical room to the boardroom. The most powerful part wasn’t just the data. It was the mindset we built across our teams: focused, accountable and always looking for a better way.
The impact in numbers
In just 24 months, our team has:
Reduced our energy consumption by more than 3 million kWh
Cut operational energy costs by $283,413
Achieved DOE 50001 Ready recognition for our management system
Secured $20,000 in TVA rebates for energy-efficient upgrades
Improved overall energy efficiency by 9%, with no project cost
We made smart, small changes. We tweaked HVAC schedules, optimized lighting with LED retrofits and used economizer modes in cooler months. We installed dashboards to visualize usage trends and highlight progress. We communicated in multiple languages and made data visible across our buildings, so every employee could connect their actions to outcomes.
Adtran’s Huntsville HQ reduced its energy utilization intensity (EUI) by 53% since 2005, reaching the 2024 target early.
Powered by people
The secret to our success was our people. Through regular workshops, digital signage and performance tracking, we moved energy from the background to the forefront of daily decision-making.
And the results went beyond what any system alone could deliver. One employee noticed a forgotten network room still running 15 unused servers. Shutting them down delivered immediate savings – as well as a cooler room! Another found a 30-horsepower pump running 24/7 for 17 years without being connected to anything. The plan was to only run the pumps when the chamber called for cooling. However, after chasing down piping over 200 feet, it was found that one of the three pumps never had a chamber connected. It quickly became known as “the pump to nowhere.” These small discoveries saved energy, cut costs and showed just how much opportunity can be unlocked when people are empowered to act.
The ripple effect
And we didn’t stop with internal improvements. With the savings we generated, we donated $95,000 to Buckhorn High School for air quality and energy efficiency projects. That helped the school qualify for TVA’s School Uplift program and earn an extra $10,000 grant.
Just the beginning
This program has been featured at AEE World and spotlighted in TVA webinars as a model for replicable success. And while being named Corporate Energy Management Runner-Up at the 2025 AEE International Awards was a proud moment, the real win is what comes next.
We’re now rolling out SEM practices to additional Adtran locations – including Atlanta and sites in Germany – and progressing toward ISO 50001 certification.
We’ve proven that culture can beat capital. That visibility drives engagement. And that with the right mindset, you can save energy, strengthen teams and support your community – all at once.
If you’re wondering whether a no-cost energy strategy could work for your organization, we’d be glad to share what we’ve learned.
