Check out the February Top Partner Solutions! We’re excited to share these real-world strategies for decarbonization, energy efficiency upgrades, employee engagement, and more. Dive into the roundup to learn how organizations across sectors are overcoming barriers and accelerating progress.
Douglas County School District Takes Innovative Financing Approach for K-12 Energy Efficiency
Douglas County School District, NV financed $10.7 million in the first phase of energy efficiency improvements through an energy savings performance contract paired with a tax-exempt installment-purchase agreement. The project achieved energy cost savings of nearly $510,000 in the first year. Read more.
Sabey Data Centers Achieves Major Efficiency Improvements with Technology Upgrade
Sabey Data Centers manages over 3 million square feet of data center space across the country. As part of its energy efficiency efforts, Sabey improved fan efficiency and reduced overall building energy use by implementing hot aisle containment technology at its Intergate Quincy, Building C data center. This upgrade resulted in estimated annual energy savings of more than 8 million kWh. Read more.
SugarCreek Packing Co. Goes Full Steam Ahead to Achieve Energy, Water, and Chemical Cost Savings for Steam Systems
Food manufacturer SugarCreek Packing Co. sought to improve energy and cost savings while meeting demand for increased steam generation at its Cambridge City, Indiana plant. It installed a Reverse Osmosis membrane system to improve energy and water efficiency and reduce chemical treatment costs associated with operating the facility’s steam system, reducing water use by 11%. Read more.
Better Climate Challenge Road Show Season Two: City of Cleveland
In Season Two of the Better Climate Challenge Road Show, DOE energy experts visited City of Cleveland to learn how the partner is innovating is operations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. From the Westside Market to the city’s Kennel to the Frederick Douglass Recreation Center - see how Cleveland is working to cut its emissions in half by 2030. Watch the episode.
Life Time, Inc. Saves Water and Energy with Sweeping Efficiency Upgrades
Athletic club chain Life Time, Inc.’s Chanhassen, Minnesota facility spans 110,000 square feet, serving diverse purposes, from steam rooms to outdoor pools and more. Through a variety of efficiency improvements, including LED retrofitting, an overhaul of fitness equipment, and upgrades to pool pumps, the facility has reduced its energy use intensity by 35% and water use intensity by nearly 60%. Read more.
Cascap Inc.’s Zero Over Time Action Planning
Capital Needs Assessments guide ongoing investment in buildings, but typically lack evaluations of energy efficiency or electrification upgrades and are limited to replacement-in-kind. To overcome this barrier, Cascap Inc. created a Zero Over Time (ZOT) action plan for Nonantum Village Place to integrate its sustainability and greenhouse gas elimination goals into the Capital Needs Assessment process. Read more.
State of Montana’s Virtual Tool for Energy Savings Performance Contracting
In the face of limited budget and staff, The State of Montana created a virtual technical assistant tool to help state and local practitioners of energy savings performance contracting (ESPC). The tool includes step-by-step instructions for implementing ESPC, links to needed resources, and other guidance. Read more.
University of Utah Health: Using RCx and EMIS to Optimize and Manage Performance
To understand the high use of chilled water at its properties and optimize air handling units, University of Utah Health retro-commissioned its building systems and installed a building energy management system. As a result, University of Utah Health saved 38% annual chilled water savings and nearly $190,000 in estimated utility savings. Read more.
Decarbonization Download: 5 Questions with Bard College
With buildings dating back to the 1850s, Bard College faces its fair share of challenges to decarbonization. In this conversation with Better Buildings Initiative Director Maria T. Vargas, Bard College’s CFO Taun Toay emphasizes the role of higher education in leading the charge against climate change and shares why he remains hopeful. Watch the episode.
IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Green Engage™ Program
IHG Hotels and Resorts created the IHG Green Engage™ system - a comprehensive online sustainability platform allowing hotels to track, measure, and report on their carbon footprint and utility consumption. With over 200 Green Solutions, including detailed action plans, guidance, and case studies, Green Engage can help hotels avoid millions in utility costs. Read more.
Solar Power Purchase Agreement Advances Renewable Energy at Colorado State University
As part of its greenhouse gas emissions reduction efforts, Colorado State University sought to install large-scale solar power without substantial upfront costs. Through a Power Purchase Agreement, the university installed 4.25 MW of solar systems across 20 sites, nearly doubling its capacity. Read more.