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CASE STUDIES |
Northeast Metro District 916, Roseville, Minnesota
Minnesota school uses utility savings to improve learning environment
The Northeast Metro District 916 Comprehensive Energy Services project was initiated because of a lack of funding and growing deferred maintenance needs within the
district. Annual energy savings of over $34,000 were guaranteed. The actual first
year energy savings were over $46,000. In addition to the significant savings being generated, staff and student comfort has been dramatically improved throughout the district.
Challenges:
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Increasing utility costs and energy consumption at district buildings - budget shortfall concerns. |
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Increasing comfort complaints by staff and students. |
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Provide a learning environment that fosters academic achievement excellence for students and staff. |
Solutions:
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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. |
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Installation of room occupancy sensors and exterior photocells for improved lighting control. |
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Installation of variable speed drives on large motors and pumps. |
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Installation of energy efficient motors. |
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Chilled water system improvements. |
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Indoor air quality improvements including air handler coil and air distribution "duct" system and air distribution system balancing. |
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Installation of a district-wide energy management system and direct digital controls on HVAC equipment for improved efficiency and comfort. |
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Installation of automatic urinal flush valves. |
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Installation of "back-up" propane air fuel system. |
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Installation of power factor correction capacitors. |
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Temperature control updates for improved efficiency and comfort. |
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Steam system improvements including boiler enhancement, steam trap repair and insulation upgrades for efficiency and improved comfort levels. |
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Ongoing ten-year partnership, with Energy Service Group providing measurement/verification and performance assurance. |
Results:
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Positive impact on environment, reduced energy consumption by nearly 40 percent, while improving light levels and student comfort. |
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Reduced energy and operating costs that will generate a savings of over $450,000 in the next ten years, enabling the school district to upgrade facilities and plan for the future. |
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Improved reliability of mechanical and electrical systems, district-wide. |
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Improved the learning environment by solving indoor air quality deficiencies, which had become a public concern. |
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Cost-effective, long-term solution to controlling classroom environments while decreasing operating costs. |
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Reduced rising utility bills created by out-of-date, inefficient equipment. |
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The project was awarded "first place" and also the "best overall" entrant in the 2001 Minnesota ASHRAE Technology award competition. |
Conclusion:
Northeast Metro District 916 has saved more than $46,000 in energy-related costs in the first year of its Performance Contracting 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 decreased operational expenditures.
The Energy Services Group Comprehensive Energy Services program has allowed Northeast Metro District 916 to cut operating costs while improving the quality of its students' learning environments. The district has been guaranteed by Energy Services Group to save $34,948 annually on energy consumption, $4,313 annually on water consumption, and a minimum of $6,900 in "hard dollar" operating costs annually. These savings will help the district to pay for the facility improvement project.
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