CASE STUDIES

Eden Prairie Public Schools - Eden Prairie, Minnesota

$3.4 Million In Energy And Operational Savings Helps School District Upgrade Learning Environments

Eden Prairie Public School District is a growing district that serves approximately 8,600 students. Eden Prairie initiated a Comprehensive Energy Management Project with Energy Services Group at eight district buildings (over 1,244,000 square feet) to curb increasing utility costs.

Challenges:

		Improve public concern over poor indoor air quality.
		Increasing utility costs and energy consumption at district buildings - budget shortfall concerns.
		Provide a learning environment that fosters academic achievement excellence for students and staff.

Solutions:

		Installation of lighting retrofits including converting existing fixtures from T-12 fluorescent lamps and magnetic ballasts to T-8 lamps and electronic ballasts, and convert incandescent lighting to fluorescent lighting. Installation of new fixtures to increase light levels.
		Installation of room occupancy sensors and exterior photocells for improved lighting control.
		Installation of high-low HID dimming systems with occupancy controllers in gymnasium.
		Installation of a “back-up” Propane Air Fuel system for utility rate improvement and reliability.
		Installation of de-stratification fans in gymnasium to improve occupant comfort and efficiency.
		Installation of energy efficient replacement windows to improve occupant comfort and efficiency.
		Indoor air quality improvements including ventilation system rebalancing.
		Installation of a district wide energy management system and direct digital controls on HVAC equipment for improved efficiency and comfort.
		Installation of energy efficient boilers.
		Deferred maintenance improvements including cleaning and repairing mechanical system components.
		Temperature control updates for improved efficiency and comfort.
		Steam system improvements including steam trap repair and insulation upgrades for efficiency and improved comfort levels.
		Ongoing ten-year partnership, with Energy Service Group providing training and maintenance staff development, measurement/verification and performance assurance.

Results:

		Positive impact on environment, reduced energy consumption by more than 24 percent, while improving light levels and student comfort.
		Reduced energy and operating costs that will generate a savings of $2.86 million, enabling the school district to upgrade facilities and plan for the future.
		Improved reliability of mechanical and electrical systems, district wide.
		Improved the learning environment by correcting indoor air quality deficiencies, which had become a district concern.
		Cost-effective, long-term solution to controlling classroom environments while decreasing operating costs.
		Reduced rising utility bills created by out-of-date, inefficient equipment.

Conclusion:

Eden Prairie School District is on track to save more than $162,331 in energy-related costs in the first year of its Comprehensive Energy Services partnership with ESG. In the process, the district also has significantly improved the learning environment of its classrooms. The district will also reap the financial benefits of improved facility maintenance practices and decreased operational expenditures.

Eden Prairie Public Schools like many schools today, were encountering rising utility bills as a result of our out-of-date, inefficient equipment. In addition, public concern over the quality of the air children and teachers were breathing prompted finding a cost-effective, long-term solution that would improve classroom environments and simultaneously decrease operating costs. Performance Contracting with ESG was the answer.

The ESG Comprehensive Energy Services program has allowed Eden Prairie School District to cut operating costs while improving the quality of its students' learning environments. The district will save a minimum of $162,331 on energy consumption the first year, as well as increase its savings in subsequent years. In addition, the agreement will save the district a minimum of $124,578 in operating costs per year for 10 years, for a combined estimated savings of $2.86 million that will pay for equipment improvements.

We are very proud of our relationship with Eden Prairie Public Schools and their confidence to partner with ESG in implementing programs of this magnitude.

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