The City of Fullerton, California, has contracted with NORESCO to implement an $8.4 million energy efficiency project guaranteed to save $12.1 million during the contract period. Funded entirely from generated savings, the project demonstrates that energy savings can help local governments tackle deferred maintenance while also expanding smart city technologies and distributed energy resources.
“The goal of the city’s energy savings program is to upgrade critical infrastructure and deliver economic and environmental benefits, for our residents and our staff. Through this program, we will leverage guaranteed energy savings to pay for additional renewable energy, replace old and inefficient HVAC systems and place additional electric vehicle charging stations. This will allow us to stretch our general fund dollars, while improving community safety, and progressing towards our sustainability and climate goals,” said City of Fullerton Mayor Fred Jung.
As well as providing renewable energy at the main water plant, solar panels mounted on the roofs of the city hall and police department will provide shaded parking. The installation of fifteen dual port integrated electric vehicle chargers throughout the city will provide the public with clean transportation fuel and generate revenue for the city. The project will also enable the city to replace critical air-conditioning equipment that is at the end of its useful life and make other energy efficiency updates to building systems.
Approximately 7,700 lighting fixtures will be upgraded with LEDs in order to reduce energy consumption and extend the lifespan by at least 20 years. NORESCO will also assist the city in converting nearly 600 pole lights to LED technology in conjunction with Southern California Edison. Smart city technology in parks will include improved lighting controls and motion activation, capable of providing greater public safety benefits.
Additionally, the project is expected to reduce the city’s carbon dioxide emissions by 2,793,572 pounds each year. The total expected reduction in greenhouse gases equates to planting 1,306 acres of trees, providing air quality improvements to the community.
The project includes a rigorous commissioning and measurement-based verification plan to ensure energy usage savings and operational success. Construction will utilize local subcontractors, expected to be more than 95% union-represented, and projected to create at least 50 local jobs.
It will also help prepare the city for conversion of series streetlight circuits to LED technology. Completion of the design package, cost calculations and budgets to convert a particularly problematic circuit will provide data the city needs to secure financing and then move forward with conversion.
“The City of Fullerton continues its progress toward healthy, safe, sustainable and intelligent buildings and infrastructure, modernizing the city while conserving capital, reallocating its energy spend and decreasing its carbon footprint,” said Jim Williams, Vice President, NORESCO. “We are honored to serve and help make a positive impact on local budgets and the local community.”
Tags: municipal
