Henry Gifford is co-founder of Architecture and Energy Ltd and
has more than 25 years experience in supervising and designing
energy efficient buildings. A vocal opponent of the LEED
Certification, Mr. Gifford has recently been quoted in several
articles in which he questions US Green Building Council research
and suggests that a quarter of LEED certified buildings do not save
as much energy as predicted.
Scot Horst is Senior Vice President for LEED at the U.S. Green
Building Council (USGBC). Since 2005, Mr. Horst has served as chair
of USGBC's LEED Steering Committee, the body that has principle
responsibility for developing and implementing the LEED rating
system.
1. How did you get involved in the
energy efficiency industry?
When I was twenty years old, I
started buying apartment houses, and wondered why my bills were so
much higher than those for other buildings in the neighborhood. I
called the boiler company and they didn't know what to do. I went to
Barnes & Nobles to get more information and they didn't have
anything that helped me. I knew there had to be a science behind it,
so I began to investigate the problem myself and discovered that
there was a gap between the engineering side of things and what the
mechanics in the field were doing. The people designing heating and
electrical systems weren't taking into account the common mistakes
made during installation, which gave me an opportunity to start
tweaking existing heating systems to make them more energy
efficient.
In the 1990s I started looking at plans for new construction, and
was able to fix some common mistakes before they were made. Some
engineers worked with me to design better systems for new buildings,
which made them more reliable and energy efficient. This process
taught me enough about engineering and gave me a big advantage over
just knowing about the installation side of things.
Now most of my work involves designing and supervising
construction of new buildings that use less than 25% of the heating
and hot water energy of a normal, existing NYC apartment house, yet
cost no more to build than code minimum construction, and doesn't
use fancy technologies.
2. You have been a vocal opponent of
the 2007 survey, commissioned by the USGBC, claiming LEED building
are 25-30% more efficient than other buildings. Did this survey
prompt your criticism of the LEED certification?
The US Green Building Council was
making percent energy saving claims for years before the first, and
still the only study was done. Those claims were based on
predictions, not measured results.
The LEED system requires a prediction that a building will be
more energy efficient, based on a computer simulation that is not
capable of predicting some major problems. For example, it is quite
common for heating and cooling systems to overheat a building in the
winter or overcool in the summer. The simulation software often used
in LEED predictions assumes that every room in every building is the
same temperature all year long. Therefore the LEED system does
nothing to stop or discourage one of the biggest problems we have -
out of control heating and cooling systems.
Also, the actual effect of air leakage is very, very hard to
simulate, which adds to the inaccuracy. The overall effect of this
problem is to not encourage air tightness in buildings.
LEED's comparison system even allows glass buildings to get
awards for energy efficiency, simply by accepting a prediction that
a certified glass building won't perform as badly as another glass
building.
3. What are your thoughts on the
USGBC's recent attempts to address the energy performance gap? For
example, they now require LEED certified buildings to submit data on
their energy usage.
USGBC has promised to keep all
energy use data confidential. They promise to "implement an
appropriate analysis methodology" before releasing the results, but
given their terrible record for playing with the numbers, there will
never be any real light shed on how LEED buildings are performing.
Saying they are going to start collecting data sounds good, but is
really a step backwards. Real progress will only be made when all
buildings that are called energy efficient have their energy bills
made public.
4. If you could create your own energy
efficiency certification for buildings- what would it look like?
My certification would require a
preliminary rating based on the source energy input to the heating,
cooling, and ventilation systems at peak load, of course normalized
for building size, type, and climate. Big buildings get big heating
systems; small buildings get small systems and the smaller the
system the better the rating. This system would be based on
verifiable facts, not someone's opinion or calculations. Equipment
size is a fact that can be verified during the planning phase,
during construction, or after construction. Starting the second year
after occupancy, the preliminary rating would be abandoned and the
building would be rated on how little energy it used. All
certification plaques would be attached with removable screws to
encourage better performance; buildings that performed better in the
future would get an upgraded rating.
1. Do you feel that the simulation
software used to design LEED certified buildings sufficiently
predicts their energy efficiency?
I had my own consulting business
and worked on 150 LEED buildings before coming on staff at USBGC so
I've seen LEED practices in effect. The modeling tools that we use,
if used properly, are incredibly effective tools. They are
essentially scientific "what if" tools. If you asked me if it is
possible to not use a tool well, I would have to say yes, and I
suspect that not everyone uses it correctly. However, if you have a
design team using it properly early in the design process, it will
work well. The purpose of this tool is to set targets so you can
design your building to meet those targets and set benchmarks to
measure your success. However, there are certain things the software
can't predict which can result in energy savings that differ from
predictions. For example, you input weather data into the software
to see how your energy systems will work throughout the year but if
the weather isn't as predicted the results are not going to be the
same as the predictions. That being said, the software is still an
effective design tool in terms of finding the best way for a
building to reduce its overall energy use.
2. How do you measure the performance
of a building post instillation?
We have two ways we are dealing
with measuring performance right now. The first way uses our
existing building rating system which is based on an ENERGY STAR
score which we use to re-certify buildings at the end of their
performance period. Performance periods are set at a five year max
right now. The second way we measure performance involves requiring
our projects, even older buildings that we certified, to give us
their energy and water use data. We are taking this data and
creating a database so that we can make real comparisons of the
energy efficiency of our buildings. LEED certified Buildings will be
compared to LEED certified buildings as opposed to comparing them to
current building codes which we are doing right now.
3. Now that you are requiring LEED
certified buildings to submit data on their energy efficiency, will
you de-certify buildings that are not performing as predicted?
That is where we are heading and
my hope is that is what happens. It's a complex issue; we are
talking about creating a program that is voluntary; a certification
of how you will manage your building. What we need to do is have a
really complex discussion and we are making that discussion happen
in a voluntary, non-profit arena. We have to convince people to come
in and do this program.
4. Since the inception of the LEED
certification program, what changes or accomplishments are you most
proud of?
I was recently at a meeting in
preparation for the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, and
John Ashton, the Special Representative for Climate Change for the
UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, asked all the environmental
non-profits to raise their hands, upon doing so he said "you aren't
doing your job, you are all stuck in your little issues. If you
aren't playing in the economy, you are irrelevant". His comment made
me feel proud because the LEED rating system is playing in the
economy. We brought the idea of green to the doorstep of businesses
and they are integrating energy efficiency strategies into their
business practices. You see real changes that occur in the design
process of buildings that would not have happened otherwise. For
example, New York City is having a discussion about energy
efficiency, it's not all about USGBC and LEED, but they are having
the discussion because of us.
At the federal level we have been working on the issues
surrounding the implementation of the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act and the consideration of climate change
legislation.
NAESCO is also part of a small Working Group convened by DOE to
address the implementation of revolving loan funds that are elements
of many SEP and EECBG plans. According to DOE, approximately $1
billion of the available grant funds will be devoted to revolving
loan funds, most of which will be administered by government
agencies with little or no relevant experience. The Working Group is
assembling guidance documents and best practices program guides that
will be distributed to the grantees through the DOE website and a
series of webinars. One of the two major focuses of the Working
Group is to ensure that the loans funds will able to work
efficiently with public building ESPC projects. NAESCO is
concentrating its work in this area.
NAESCO is also part of a consortium that will submit proposals to
DOE in the competitive EECBG program described above. NAESCO's role
in the consortium will be to ensure the public building ESPC
programs are a major element of the proposed programs, and to
provide training to local government officials that will implement
the ESPC programs. The consortium anticipates submitting four
different proposals from four regional groups of communities -
Southeast, Midwest, California and Northeast.
To multiply its resources for this effort, NAESCO, in
collaboration with the Energy Services Coalition and NASEO, has
submitted a proposal to US DOE for a grant to provide training and
technical assistance to states and local governments that will be
implementing ESPC programs as part of their SEP and EECBG plans.
This grant would be an extension of the funding that the
organizations currently have from DOE, and would greatly expand our
ability to provide direct technical assistance across the country.
NAESCO is part of a second national coalition that is exclusively
focused on enacting a standalone EERS. The argument for a strong
national EERS is supported by a virtual blizzard of research reports
that document the economic development and job creations of energy
efficiency.
About twenty states now have EERS mandates for their utilities.
We are asking the Senate to enact a 15% standalone EERS, independent
of whatever they may decide to do with a RES. The coalition and
NAESCO will be putting on a major push for an expanded EERS this
fall.
The first major debate is about how the initial allowances will
be distributed. The Obama administration had proposed that all
allowances be auctioned. Industries (including utilities) that emit
large amounts of CO2 have argued that forcing them to purchase
allowances at auction will deal the economy a body blow, by
increasing the cost of energy, and so they should be granted
allowances at no cost.
The second major debate is about the use of the proceeds from the
allowance auctions. NAESCO and the national coalition are urging
that a substantial portion of the proceeds be invested in energy
efficiency programs, because EE programs produce CO2 emissions at a
negative net cost. Consumer groups and advocates for low-income
ratepayers insist that most of the proceeds should be rebated to
ratepayers. Advocates for utilities and energy intensive industries
would like to see a substantial portion of the proceeds used to help
them defray the cost of implementing emissions reduction
technologies.
The coalitions, of which NAESCO is a part, are arguing that
implementation of a cap-and-trade program is important because it
would generate the revenues that can finance large-scale national EE
programs. We are urging that the legislation mandate that
substantial portions of the allowances be used to finance EE
programs.
Perhaps the most exciting development at the state level is the
flurry of activity related to the receipt and dissemination of the
federal ARRA funding, which will invest about $11 billion in state
and local government EE programs in the next two years. But while
the states and local governments are working on their ARRA
implementation plans, a number of states are instituting or
expanding ratepayer-funded EE programs. Some states in which NAESCO
has been working are highlighted below.
NAESCO welcomes the following new members.
Effective September 14, Meghan Morrison has joined NAESCO as the
new Director of Membership and Communications. Meghan is a graduate
of Temple University and has experience in association management,
development and communications.
Industry News
Pew Center's Energy Efficiency Study
Finds Corporate America is Embracing Energy Efficiency
Preliminary results from a survey by the Pew Center on Global
Climate Change of approximately fifty companies about corporate
energy efficiency strategies indicate that 81 percent of the survey
participants report having modified their products and services to
offer increased energy efficiency performance in order to take
advantage of the growing consumer demand. The data also showed that
the three main reasons companies undertook energy efficiency
strategies were to reduce their carbon footprint, respond to rising
energy prices and demonstrate their commitment to corporate social
responsibility.
The survey found that 21 percent of the companies set up a measuring
and reporting system for the energy and carbon performance of their
suppliers, and that 44 percent provided suppliers with information
on energy efficiency programs from third-party sources. Twelve
percent changed suppliers due to finding others with superior energy
or carbon efficient performance.
Eighty nine percent of companies said that engaging their workforce
was an important element in their energy efforts. While 33 percent
of companies used newsletters or emails to connect with employees,
23 percent offer formal education or training, while 17 percent
created some kind of green team or employee-run committee to take on
the challenge.
In early 2009, the Pew Center on Global Climate Change invited 95
companies to participate in a 65-question survey on corporate energy
efficiency strategies. Forty eight companies completed the
questionnaire which was designed to gauge the level of current
activities devoted to pursuing corporate energy efficiency and to
identify trends. A final report will be published in March 2010, but
Pew released some of its initial findings on their new Corporate
Energy Efficiency Web Portal. The full April report, written with
ICF International, will include six case studies of companies that
have undertaken in particularly strong corporate energy efficiency
efforts.
Please
click here for the Corporate Energy Efficiency Web Portal.
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President Obama Orders Federal
Agencies to Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Under an executive order signed by President Obama October 5, the
federal government will require its agencies to set a greenhouse gas
emissions reduction target for 2020 within 90 days.
The measure also requires federal agencies to increase their energy
efficiency, reduce the petroleum consumption of their fleets,
conserve water, reduce waste, support sustainable communities, and
leverage their federal purchasing power to promote
environmentally-responsible products and technologies.
In his order, President Obama requires agencies to meet a number of
energy, water, and waste reduction targets, including:
- 30 percent reduction in vehicle fleet petroleum use by 2020
- 26 percent improvement in water efficiency by 2020
- 50 percent recycling and waste diversion by 2015
- 95 percent of all applicable contracts will meet
sustainability requirements
- Implementation of the 2030 net-zero-energy building
requirement
- Implementation of the storm water provisions of the Energy
Independence and Security Act of 2007, section 438
- Development of guidance for sustainable Federal building
locations in alignment with the Livability Principles put
forward by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the
Department of Transportation, and the Environmental Protection
Agency.
The order makes reducing greenhouse gas emissions a priority for the
federal government, which is ranked as the nation's largest energy
consumer. It occupies nearly 500,000 buildings, operates more than
600,000 vehicles, and employs more than 1.8 million civilians.
To download the White House press release,
click here.
To download the executive order,
click here.
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Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Lab
Report Predicts Increased Funding for Energy Efficiency
A recent report released by the Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory Lab suggests that funding for energy efficiency programs
and energy savings will increase dramatically over the next decade.
The report also finds total funding for electric and gas energy
efficiency programs is projected to rise from roughly $3.1 billion
in 2008 to between $7.5 billion and $12.4 billion in 2020 (in
nominal dollars), and annual savings from electric energy efficiency
programs are projected to increase from an estimated 0.3% of U.S.
retail sales in 2008 to between 0.6% and 0.9% in 2020.
The report predicts that states who have been historically been
minor players in the Energy Efficiency stage will come to the
forefront.
The report, entitled "The Shifting Landscape of Ratepayer-Funded
Energy Efficiency in the U.S" presents projections of rate-payer
spending and savings in the U.S through, bases on a state-by-state
review of energy efficiency policies and regulatory requirements in
place or under consideration.
To download a copy of the report,
click here.
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The 2009 California Green
Innovation Index Analyzes Impact of Energy Efficiency Efforts on
California's Environment and Economy
A recent report released by the Next 10 organization about
California's energy efficiency initiatives found that green
innovations have reduced greenhouse gas emissions, increased energy
efficiency and strengthened the economy. According to the report,
California's productivity is 68 percent higher than that of the rest
of the country. As a result, Californians, on average pay lower
utility bills and spend billions less of their state economy as a
whole on electricity than the rest of the country. The report also
states that California's energy efficiency policies have led to the
creation of over 1.5 million jobs over the last 35 years, generating
$45 billion in payroll. The authors contend that this trend will
only increase as recent data shows that green jobs in California
have increased by ten percent since 2005 compared to one percent
statewide.
The survey, entitled "2009 California Green Innovation Index", was
conducted by the Next 10 organization in conjunction with
Collaborative Economics. Designed to track key economic, energy and
environmental indicators, the Index provides data on the impact of
innovation on the state's economic and environmental health as
California moves to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels
as mandated by the California Global Warming Solutions Act.
Click here to download the full report.
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Recent Study Concludes that the
South Could Meet their Energy Demands through Efficiency
Results from a recent report entitled "Meta-Review of Efficiency
Potential Studies and Their Implications for the South" found
that the South could reduce predicted energy consumption through
2020 by about 9 percent by deploying energy efficient,
cost-effective measures. The 9 percent prediction is based on the
assumption that both the public and private sector will adopt energy
efficient electricity and heating standards. If efficiency standards
are not implemented, the predicted energy savings would be reduced
0.5% annually.
According to the study, the South has been one of the last regions
in the U.S. to implement energy efficiency programs. Currently the
South hosts 37% of the US population while consuming 44 percent of
the nation's energy.
The report, written by Sharon Chandler and Marilyn A. Brown, did a
meta-review of 19 national, regional and state efficiency studies
over the past twelve years. The report is the first of four to be
issued by Duke University, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Oak
Ridge National Laboratory examining 16 states and the District of
Columbia. The reports are funded through the Energy Foundation and
Turner Foundation.
Click here to download a copy of the report.
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Wal-Mart's Sustainability Index
Wal-Mart recently announced plans to implement a "sustainability
index" to measure the sustainability of every product it sells. The
company will require their suppliers to complete a survey that
measures the environmental impact of their products. The survey
consists of 15 questions divided into four areas: energy and
climate, material efficiency, natural resources, and people and
community. Once this information is collected, Wal-Mart will work
with a consortium of universities, suppliers, retailers, NGOs and
government to develop a global database of information on the
lifecycle of products. The information collected in the database
will be used to create an index that will provide customers with
product information in a simple rating so they can make better
sustainable choices.
Wal-Mart has been working on the "sustainability index" for more
than a year though it is expected to take one to two years before
such labels will appear on products.
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International Facility Management
Association's Office Temperature Study Examines Office Temperature
Complaints
A new study on the most common HVAC complaints released by The
International Facility Management Association (IFMA) found that most
common grievances are related to temperature. Other major complaints
dealt with indoor air quality, draftiness, and noise.
When it comes to addressing occupants' thermal complaints, 90
percent of facility managers say they check the temperature in the
area where the complaint was made to see if it is within standards;
87 percent validate that the HVAC system is working properly; and 75
percent adjust thermostats to provide for greater worker comfort.
According to the report, energy efficiency is of prime importance to
facility professionals, with the vast majority of respondents saying
they utilize a number of energy saving techniques to address HVAC
complaints. Seventy seven percent say that they have updated or
replaced an HVAC system or components; 73 percent have verified that
their building automation system is working as designed; and 52
percent have installed more efficient light fixtures to reflect less
heat. Common responses also include modifying ductwork (27 percent),
installing new window shades (24 percent) and adding window film to
improve thermal properties (24 percent).
The survey, entitled "Temperature Wars: Savings vs. Comfort"
was drafted with the assistance of several HVAC experts and was
taken during June and July 2009. It is based on the responses of 473
IFMA members.
To download a copy of the report,
click here.
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New Report Analyzes Recent
Progress in Corporate Sustainability Initiatives
A new report released by Siemens and McGraw-Hill Construction, finds
that Corporate America has embraced standard sustainability
practices, such as recycling, building green, focusing on employee
engagement, and partnering with non-profits into their daily
business practices. Three out of four firms who participated in the
study view sustainability as consistent with their profit missions.
They expect that green practices tied to core business strategies
will reduce energy costs (75%), retain and attract customers (70%),
provide market differentiation (64%), and serve the financial
performance of the company (58%).
The report, entitled "2009 Greening of Corporate America Report"
provides comparative statistics, trend analysis, and interviews with
corporate sustainability officers at companies including Microsoft,
AT&T, and Owens Corning.
For a copy of the report,
click here.
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Member News
For a full list of all NAESCO Member News and Projects,
please
click here.
Project and Products
Ameresco Announces Completion of Porta
Community Unit School District Project
Ameresco announced the completion of construction on a $7.6
million energy savings performance contract with the Porta Community
Unit School District Project that included significant renewable
energy generation technologies and District- wide energy efficiency
improvements.
Key elements of this project included the installation of a
geothermal heat pump system to replace the aging HVAC system, the
recommissioning and upgrade of the HVAC controls, and upgrades to
the domestic hot water and pool heating systems. Renewable energy
generation included both a 1 kW photovoltaic array and a 600 kW wind
turbine.
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Ameresco Announces Completion of
Keller Canyon Landfill Gas Project
Ameresco partnered with Republic Services, Inc to
complete the Keller Canyon Landfill gas-to-electricity project.
This is the second time this year that Republic Services, Inc.
and Ameresco have partnered to develop and expand renewable
energy sources for California and to provide power to the cities
of Palo Alto and Alameda.
Ameresco designed and built the landfill gas-to-energy plant.
Using engines from General Electric, the facility generates
approximately 3.8 megawatts of electricity, enough to power nearly
2,200 homes. By using the landfill gas for this beneficial reuse
project and replacing fossil fuels, the direct and avoided emissions
are equivalent to removing 30,000 cars from the road or the planting
of more than 36,000 acres of pine or fir trees.
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Ameresco Selected to Construct
$795 Million Biomass Cogeneration Facility
Ameresco has been awarded a $795 million contract by the
Department of Energy to construct a biomass cogeneration
facility and two smaller biomass heating facilities at the DOE's
Savannah River Site in Aiken, SC. According to the company, the
project is the largest energy savings performance and renewable
energy contract in the nation's history.
When completed, the new facility will result in an annual
reduction of 400 tons of per year of particulate matter, 3,500 tons
of sulfur dioxide emissions, and 100,000 tons of carbon emissions.
It will also reduce annual water consumption by 1.4 billion gallons
and eliminate the burning of coal by 161,000 tons per year.
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Chevron Completes $11.6 million
Dinuba Aquatic Complex
Chevron Energy Solutions recently announced the
completion of an $11.6 million Dinuba Pool complex in Dinuba,
CA. The complex was the last in a series of building projects
Chevron had completed for the Dinuba Unified School District.
Chevron developed, engineered and constructed the complex,
replacing an energy inefficient pool that was leaking 14,000
gallons of water per day.
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Rhode Island Municipality
Selects Constellation Energy's Projects & Services Group to
Design Energy Efficiency Initiative for DOE Block Grant Program
Constellation Energy's Projects & Services Group was
selected by the city of Cranston, Rhode Island to develop the
city's proposal to the Department of Energy's municipal energy
efficiency and conservation block grant program. Under the
energy efficiency and conservation block grant program,
municipalities like Cranston demonstrate how proposed strategies
and projects will create energy savings, reduce greenhouse gas
emissions, utilize renewable energy, and result in the creation
of jobs. Some of the projects that Cranston will be considering
as part of the proposal include energy retrofits for
governmental buildings—installing energy efficient lighting,
upgrades to heating and air conditioning systems, and improving
building insulation—as well as deploying solar and geothermal
systems.
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Energy Systems Group Awarded Governors
State University Contract
Governors State University (GSU) has awarded Energy Systems
Group a contract to implement energy efficiency projects.
One major renovation is the replacement of two inefficient 750
horsepower boilers with 10 smaller modulating boilers. Other
projects include new lamps and life fixtures throughout the
university. The building improvements will reduce GSU's carbon
footprint by more than 3,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide
annually.
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Energy Systems Group Announces
Completion of Blackfoot Clean Energy Facility
Energy Systems Group (ESG) in conjunction with Veolia
Environmental Services announced the opening of the Blackfoot
Clean Energy Facility, a landfill gas-to-electricity project in
Winslow, Ind. The project, developed by ESG and Veolia
Environmental Services, will generate 3.2 MW or enough energy to
power approximately 2,000 homes. ESG expects the landfill to
generate electricity for 20 to 25 years. By capturing these
landfill gases, the project is helping provide environmental
benefits equivalent to the removal of emissions from more than
22,000 cars per year or the planting of about 27,000 acres of
forest annually.
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Wisconsin Technical College System
Awards Johnson Controls $6.9 Million Solar Education Farm
Contract
The Wisconsin Technical College System Board Approved a $6.9
million solar education farm project between Johnson Controls
Inc. and the Milwaukee Area Technical College. The energy
produced from the 411 kilowatt PV project will be used to
operate the Milwaukee Public Television transmitter that is
located on the site. The farm will also serve as a training
center for technicians, designers, site assessors, electricians,
sales personnel and other professionals in the fields of
renewable energy.
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Johnson Controls and
International School Bangkok Launch First Clinton Climate
Initiative Building Retrofit Project in South East Asia
Johnson Controls Inc. has just completed a project to
transform the energy efficiency of the International School
Bangkok. The project included mechanical systems upgrades,
lighting retrofits, water conservation and building
improvements.
The project, which is the first Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI)
Energy Efficiency Building Retrofit project to be carried out in a
school, will eliminate more than 700 tons of CO2 a year (25% of its
greenhouse gases) - the equivalent of taking 128 passenger vehicles
off the road or planting 17,950 tree seedlings in an urban setting.
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Lockheed Martin Awarded Pepco
Contract to Manage Commercial Energy Efficiency Programs
Nation's Capitol
Lockheed Martin was awarded a three-year contract by
Pepco Holdings, Inc. to implement energy efficiency and
conservation programs and services for its Pepco non-residential
customers in the District of Columbia. The programs are
scheduled to run until 2011 and include a budget of $12.7
million.
Under the contract, Lockheed Martin will manage several programs
to encourage Pepco's commercial, governmental and institutional
customers to identify and implement energy saving opportunities
related to building performance. The Prescriptive Rebate Program,
Custom Incentive Program, HVAC Efficiency Program, and Building
Commissioning and Operations & Maintenance Program will be designed
to encourage the use of cost-effective, energy efficient products
and design practices during new construction, renovations, remodels,
and equipment replacement events. The programs will encourage
electrical, mechanical, and lighting systems improvements, and
employ best practices for building commissioning, as well as
improving building operation and maintenance practices for Pepco's
customers.
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NORESCO to Implement $1.7 Million
Energy Efficiency Project for Mineral Wells Development School
District
NORESCO will implement $1.7 Million in infrastructure
improvements to eight facilities within the Mineral Wells
Development School District. The key savings drivers for the
projects are lighting systems upgrades, new building automation
and control systems, and conventional plumbing fixtures
replacements. The Mineral Wells High School will see additional
energy savings through the expansion of the existing energy
management system, to include conversation from three- way to
two- way control valves on all air handling units and
installation of variable speed drives on chilled water pumps,
hot water pumps and air handling unit supply of fan motors.
Additionally, new infield lighting will be installed in softball
and baseball fields.
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NORESCO Awarded $34 million Project
in the Nation's Capitol
The office of the Architect of the Capitol has entered into a
partnership with NORESCO to implement $34 million in
facility infrastructure upgrades in the Rayburn, Longworth,
Cannon, and Ford House Buildings, as well as in the House Page
Dormitory. The project includes upgrades to nearly 33,000
fixtures in all buildings, heating, ventilation, and air
conditioning controls, control strategies, and equipment. In
addition, new low-flow restroom fixtures, faucets and
showerheads will be installed in all buildings and the steam
traps in the Rayburn, Longworth and Ford Buildings will be
replaced.
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Siemens Building Technologies
Announces Completion of Pennsylvania State Buildings Project
Siemens Building Technologies, Inc., working in
cooperation with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department
of General Services, has completed a performance-based contract
to reduce energy consumption at the Commonwealth's Health &
Welfare Building and Labor & Industry Building in Harrisburg,
the state's capital. Siemens implemented an $8.2 million
performance contract for a broad array of improvements that
include a 10-kW solar energy system, building automation control
improvements, heating ventilation and air conditioning system
enhancements, and low-flow plumbing fixtures. The project also
included the replacement of more than 2,000 of the structures'
original windows.
The contract, awarded in December 2007, is now finished. Under
the terms of the performance-based agreement, Siemens Building
Technologies guarantees the reduction in energy use over a 15-year
period. The Commonwealth will save the equivalent of nearly $800,000
in energy costs during the first year, escalating by approximately 5
percent per year thereafter. Total program energy savings estimates
are expected reduce equivalent energy expenses some $15 million over
the life of the contract. According to DGS, net energy cost savings
to the taxpayers are in excess of $2 million.
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Siemens to Implement $18 Million in
Energy Efficiency Improvements in Connecticut Public Housing
Authority
Siemens Building Technologies, Inc., working in
conjunction with the Bridgeport (Conn.) Housing Authority (BHA),
will soon begin to implement $18 million in energy efficiency
and other improvements to single- and multi-unit public housing
throughout the BHA system.
Energy and resource efficiency upgrades will be implemented at
six major BHA complexes and at more than 500 scattered sites,
covering some 2,500 units. Siemens will manage the project and
direct the delivery and implementation of new refrigerators,
windows, heating ventilation and air-conditioning systems, new light
fixtures and lamps, weatherization, water conserving plumbing
fixtures, boilers, and sensor-activated exterior security lights.
Building automation systems, which allow for remote system operation
via the internet, are also slated for implementation by Siemens at 5
of 6 major BHA sites. Under the terms of the contract, which
guarantees energy savings, avoided energy expenses over the next 20
years will provide the equity basis for the loans financing the
project which is scheduled to be completed on a 14-month schedule.
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Fredericktown, Missouri School District
Awards TAC by Schneider Electric Awarded $3.4 Million Contract
The Fredericktown, Missouri School District awarded TAC by
Schneider Electric a $3.4 million contract to implement
facility enhancements in the district's high school. TAC will
implement a variety of energy conservation measures and other
infrastructure improvements. These include a new standing-seam
meal rook along with the addition of insulation, sealing of
building envelope, installing a new variable refrigerant volume
heating, ventilation and air-conditioning stem thought, a
lighting redesign retrofit, redesigning and replacing drop
ceilings, and adding additional electrical capacity. TAC
estimates the district will reduce its utility costs by $30,000
annually.
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Houston Awards TAC $9.6 million
Contract to Improve Energy Efficiency in City Buildings
Houston has awarded TAC by Schneider Electric a $9.6
million contract to improve the energy efficiency of seven of
the city's 271 buildings. Houston is the first C40 city in the
US to announce a comprehensive building retrofit project under
the Clinton Climate Initiative's Building Retrofit Program. TAC
will implement numerous energy conservation measures at these
city facilities. For the first phase, TAC will perform energy
audits on seven municipal buildings containing 1.2 million
square feet. Because existing structures comprise a massive
source of energy use within cities, improving their efficiency
will have a major impact on local power demand.
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Trane Commercial Systems Awarded $2.3
Million Energy Service Performance Contract to Implement
Infrastructure Improvements in Jacksonville, IL Hospital
Trane Commercial Systems will soon begin implementing
infrastructure improvements to address aging infrastructure and
high energy and operating costs at the Passavant Area Hospital.
Improvements include installing more energy-efficient lighting,
optimizing the central chilled water and steam boiler systems,
upgrading the HVAC systems and controls and increasing energy
efficiency and effectiveness of laundry operations.
The improvements, which will be completed in February 2010, are
estimated to save more than $313,000 annually, which would pay for
the project in 6.5 years.
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Trane Commercial Systems to Awarded
$16.2 Million Contract to Upgrade Knoxville, Tennessee Municipal
Buildings
Trane Commercial Systems is undertaking $16.2 million in
improvements to address aging infrastructure and high energy and
operating costs in Knoxville, Tenn. municipal buildings. When
completed, the improvements will reduce the county's energy
costs an estimated 36 percent by upgrading and enhancing
infrastructure in 40 facilities, 24 parks and 37 traffic
intersections.
Over the 15-year life of the program, the county will save an
estimated $29 million, more than covering the program's $27 million
cost. This total cost includes: $16.2 million in infrastructure
upgrades, $7.5 million in maintenance and repair services and
allotments for debt service and measurement and verification
services.
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St. Lawrence University Selects
Wendel Energy Services for Energy Savings Performance Contract
Wendel Energy Services has been chosen to provide an
Energy Savings Performance Contract for St. Lawrence University
as part of the school's efforts to become a climate neutral
campus. WES will be working with campus officials to create a
comprehensive plan for improving energy efficiency and
incorporating renewable energy generation in support of the
school's commitment to sustainability. As a signatory to the
American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment
and the Clinton Climate Initiative, St. Lawrence University has
committed to reducing its dependence on fossil fuels and
eventually producing "zero net" greenhouse gas emissions.
Wendel Energy will oversee the implementation of several
innovative energy saving measures such as the installation of
geothermal heat pumps, a biomass boiler for the central steam system
and an integrated photovoltaic roofing system.
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Company News
Akerman Senterfitt Hosts
Natural Gas Summit
Akerman Senterfitt in partnership with the Florida Natural
Gas Association held the first annual Natural Gas Summit on October
1-2 in Orlando, Florida. The meeting explored numerous topics,
including the natural gas industry as a partner in the green energy
movement; natural gas and oil exploration in Florida; minimizing
natural gas price volatility and the utility of compressed natural
gas.
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Chevron Receives Green Business
Award
Chevron Energy Solutions has received the San
Francisco Business Times' 2009 Green Business Award in the
"Best Green Service" category. The company was recognized for
developing innovative, sustainable projects that provide energy
and cost savings through energy-efficient facility improvements,
conservation and renewable power projects for public
institutions and businesses.
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Comfort Systems USA Energy
Services' Timothy Staley Appointed as Regional Representative
Southeast for Building Commissioning Association
Timothy Staley PE, CEM, LEED® AP, GBE, HFDP, Vice President of
Comfort Systems USA Energy Services, has been appointed
as the Regional Representative Southeast for the Building
Commissioning Association, an international non-profit
organization that serves as the recognized authority and
resource on commissioning.
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Constellation Energy's
Projects & Services Group Acquires CLT Efficient Technologies
Group
Constellation Energy's Projects & Services Group has
acquired energy services company CLT Efficient Technologies
Group (CLT) as of July 1, 2009. CLT, based near Pittsburgh with
offices throughout Pennsylvania, now operates under the
Constellation Energy brand.
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Control Technology and Solutions'
Projects Earn ENERGY STAR
Control Technology and Solutions (CTS) announced that
three of their recently completed projects in Rhode Island, The
Putnam County School, Palmyra School and Scotland County School
Districts have all earned the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency's (EPA's) prestigious ENERGY STAR. CTS partnered with the
school districts to implement energy efficiency improvements in
the districts' facilities. Some of the energy saving features of
the projects included complete HVAC system upgrades, energy
efficient lighting retrofits and energy efficient roofing
systems.
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FMI Capital Advisors Closed Two M&A
Transactions in the Energy Efficiency Sector in the Third
Quarter of 2009
FMI Capital Advisors closed two M&A transactions in the
Energy Efficiency sector in the third quarter of 2009. FMI
advised CLT Efficient Technologies Group in its sale to
Constellation Energy. CLT is a Pittsburgh-based ESCO providing
consulting, technology, and equipment to reduce energy
consumption and operating costs primarily in government
facilities, K-12 schools, public housing, colleges and
universities, and commercial and industrial facilities. FMI also
advised Kay + Sons in its sale to a private investment group.
Kay + Sons, based near Philadelphia, is an integrator of
daylight management and solar shading solutions to corporate,
university, hospitality, and healthcare clients.
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Johnson Controls Named by
Newsweek as a Top Company in its Green Rankings
Johnson Controls was ranked No. 11 of America's 500
largest corporations by Newsweek's Green Rankings. The company
placed second in its sector of consumer and automotive. Johnson
Controls was described as an "industry leader in addressing
climate change risks" which has committed to reducing its energy
usage by as much as 50%.
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McClure Company Recognized as Best
Place to Work in Pennsylvania
The McClure Company has been distinguished as one of the
2009 Best Places to Work in PA. The firm was given this honor by
the statewide program, Best Places to work. This recognition is
McClure's third award as a Best Place to Work business.
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Precision Paragon (P2)
Announces the Release of its New Catalog of Energy Saving
Lighting Products
Precision Paragon (P2) announces the release of its new
catalog of energy saving lighting products. P2's product line
includes linear fluorescent, CFL, LED, and induction fixtures,
kits, accessories and energy saving controls.
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