Energy efficiency program is expected to save the city just over $2m annually in energy costs over the term of the contract, while also significantly reducing the city’s emissions.
Ameresco used a combination of energy conservation and operational savings measures to achieve savings with appropriate energy planning strategies, retrofits and equipment replacements.
The company said it began working with the City in 2006 on the first phase of energy efficiency measures, and is scheduled to complete the third and final phase in the first quarter of 2011.
Phase two was completed improvements to the pool heating system, and outdated boilers were replaced with heat-pumps and variable frequency drives were added to the pumping system.
Phase three construction began in March 2009, and addressed city-wide improvements, and the final phase also includes retrofitting up to 28,000 streetlights with induction lighting technology.
The induction lighting is expected to reduce energy consumption of the systems by 30% to 60% depending on type of light fixture, and increase the lamp life by nearly four times current life expectancy.
